Charting a course to therapeutics for difficult-to-treat cancer

Who We Are

Pyxis Oncology has assembled a differentiated portfolio of potent biologics, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and monoclonal antibody (mAb) immunotherapies with the potential to further improve the outcome for patients with cancer.

Pipeline

Our Science

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)

ADCs are a growing (and clinically validated) class of therapeutics that deliver cytotoxic compounds directly to cancer cells more safely. An ADC combines a highly selective tumor-targeting antibody with a potent toxin and delivers the toxin directly and specifically to the targeted cancer cells. Our ADC program is founded on the identification of promising tumor targets and acquiring highly specific antibodies to these tumor targets. Our technology platform, Flexible Antibody Conjugation Technology (FACT) enables us to develop highly controlled ADCs, site-specifically conjugated to potent cytotoxic payloads for a uniform cytotoxic drug load (known as a drug-antibody ratio (DAR) with an enhanced therapeutic index.

PYX-201

PYX-201 is a first-in-class non-internalizing ADC that targets extra domain-B (EDB) of fibronectin. EDB is an oncofetal splice variant of fibronectin, a key component of the tumor extracellular matrix that is highly expressed across several solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer, ovarian, breast and pancreatic cancers. PYX-201 is designed to release an auristatin payload into the extracellular environment within tumors to induce immunogenic cell death of tumor cells and their supporting infrastructure.

PYX-202

PYX-202 is a first-in-class internalizing ADC targeting delta-like 1 homolog, a tumor antigen that is restricted in normal tissues but expressed in a range of solid tumors, including small cell lung cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and neuroblastoma. PYX-202 utilizes a well-understood toxic agent, monomethyl auristatin payload and a beta-glucuronide cleavable linker designed to increase stability in circulation and reduce off-target toxicities.

PYX-203

PYX-203 is an internalizing ADC targeting CD123, a clinically validated target expressed in several high need hematologic malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes and others. PYX-203 utilizes a lysosomal cleavable linker and a highly potent cyclopropylpyrroloindole DNA-damaging payload that may reduce the drug concentration needed to achieve positive treatment outcomes while limiting unwanted side effects.

Immuno-oncology (I/O)

Despite the introduction of I/O approaches that activate one’s own immune system to fight cancer, many patients are unfortunately still unable to overcome complex, difficult-to-treat disease. Pyxis is advancing a diverse portfolio of immunotherapies that target broad immune regulatory mechanisms as well as novel immune checkpoints with the potential to transform the cancer treatment landscape.

HOT TUMOR DISCOVERY PLATFORM

“Hot” tumors typically contain numbers of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TILs). The tumor micro-environment is often inhibitory of their activity.
Using advances in comparative gene profiling between functional and inhibited or dysfunctional TILs, we are designing therapies to enhance the anti-tumor immune response in the tumor microenvironment.

Cold tumor discovery platform

Many tumors are characterized by a hostile microenvironment that prevents immune cells from entering the core. Our immunotherapies may turn these ‘cold’ tumors into ‘hot’ tumors by overcoming mechanisms responsible for suppressing immune cell infiltration and mobility.