Talus Bio, a drug discovery company specializing in cancer treatment, has secured $4.3 million in non-dilutive grant funding for their innovative research. The Seattle-based firm has received two grants totaling $2.3 million from the CARE Fund to support their efforts in developing new transcription factor inhibitors for childhood cancers, specifically rhabdomyosarcoma and neuroblastoma. In addition, Talus Bio was granted a $2 million SBIR fast-track grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance their proprietary Multiplexed Assays for the Rational Modulation Of Transcription Factors (MARMOT) platform and accelerate the development of transcription factor drugs.
Talus Bio’s MARMOT platform is a groundbreaking technology that allows for the direct measurement of genome regulatory proteins in live cells, providing unparalleled speed, precision, and resolution in disrupting transcription factors to combat diseases. Transcription factors play a crucial role in controlling gene expression and, when malfunctioning, can drive various diseases including cancer, diabetes, inflammatory diseases, and neurological conditions.
CEO and co-founder of Talus Bio, Alex Federation, expressed his belief that nothing is undruggable and emphasized the potential of transcription factor therapeutics in addressing regulatory protein dysfunction. The substantial funding secured by Talus Bio will enable them to expedite the optimization of new molecules for the treatment of childhood cancers, while also exploring other promising targets for in-house development or collaboration with pharmaceutical partners.
Lindsay Pino, chief technology and co-founder at Talus Bio, highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of their team, combining biochemistry, functional proteomics, and machine learning. This unique approach allows them to measure transcription factors within their native cellular environment, which significantly impacts their folding and function compared to when they are isolated from cells. With the newly obtained funding, Talus Bio can now study the effects of compounds on specific gene activity associated with diseases, as well as any potential interactions with off-target DNA-bound proteins that may lead to side effects during drug development.
Talus Bio’s pipeline also includes the development of the first inhibitor for a previously undruggable transcription factor responsible for driving chordoma, a form of spinal cord cancer that is resistant to chemotherapy.
These recent grants further validate the expertise and potential of Talus Bio in revolutionizing the field of drug discovery and transcription factor therapeutics. Through their cutting-edge technologies and interdisciplinary approach, they aim to bring forth new treatments for cancer, inflammation, and other diseases, ultimately improving patient outcomes and transforming the future of healthcare.
