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Pipeline

Our science

Novakand Pharma is a leader in the development of drug candidates that target cancer cells and disease-driving immune cells via the so-called fractalkine axis.

The product portfolio includes two drug candidates, both of which have undergone human clinical trials: rugocrixan (KAND567, Phase IIa clinical trial) and fosrugocrixan (KAND145, Phase I clinical trial). These receptor antagonists achieve their desired effect by blocking the fractalkine receptor CX3CR1.

The goal of blocking the fractalkine receptor is to inhibit cancer cells and certain immune cells that have been shown to drive disease progression, primarily in ovarian cancer and leukemia. More specifically, rugocrixan and fosrugocrixan exert their effects by increasing DNA damage and programmed cell death in cancer cells. For further information on how our drug candidates work against cancer, see the following scientific publications:

• Targeting CX3CR1 Suppresses the Fanconi Anemia DNA Repair Pathway and Synergizes with Platinum (Cancers (Basel). 2021 Mar 22;13(6):1442)

• A CX3CR1 (fractalkine receptor) Small Molecular Antagonist (KAND567) Suppressed the Growth-Promoting Effect of Monocytes on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells (Blood (2023) 142 (Supplement 1): 5716.)

For a summary of our results from the Phase IIa clinical trial in ovarian cancer, see the KANDOVA study under the heading “Rugocrixan”

Pipeline

Novakand Pharma is a leader in the field of fractalkine blockers with two drug candidates: rugocrixan (KAND567) and fosrugocrixan (KAND145), both of which are in clinical development.

The most advanced drug candidate is rugocrixan for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer (High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer, HGSOC). Novakand Pharma has conducted an exploratory Phase IIa clinical trial called KANDOVA, which showed positive overall results in a subgroup of ovarian cancer patients. This subgroup is characterized by having experienced a relapse after chemotherapy and exhibiting a more intense signal from our target (the fractal kinin receptor, CX3CR1), which may result in increased sensitivity to rugocrixan in specific cell structures (see further details in the description of the KANDOVA study). This finding creates an opportunity to identify a patient group that is growing in number and has few remaining treatment options. Based on this information, preclinical studies are now being initiated in preparation for a decision in 2027 regarding the launch of a new clinical trial for ovarian cancer in 2028. The study is being designed with sufficient scale and scientific rigor such that positive results could lead to orphan drug designation and an attractive industrial partnership.

Preclinical Research

  • Medicinal Discovery
  • Optimization of Drug Candidates
  • Preparations for Clinical Studies

Clinical Research

  • Clinical Phase I
  • Clinical Phase II
  • Phase III

The transparent arrows illustrate studies that require new partnerships or new funding

Rugocrixan

Project KAND567

Rugocrixan is Novakand Pharma’s lead project with three completed phase II-studies all supporting safety, tolerability as well as desired pharmacological activity.

The project was acquired in 2016 from AstraZeneca, when it was in the preclinical phase. Since then, Novakand Pharma has gained new insights into how the compound works against cancer, patented new chemistry, and advanced the project into the clinical development phase, including six Phase I and II clinical trials. In total, more than 170 trial participants and patients have been treated with rugocrixan.

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Fosrugocrixan

Project KAND145

Fosrugocrixan is the company’s second-generation CX3CR1 antagonist and a drug candidate that has been developed and patented by Novakand Pharma.

Fosrugocrixan is a so-called prodrug, which means that after administration, fosrugocrixan is converted into rugocrixan in the body. Fosrugocrixan has thus the same mechanism of action as rugocrixan, in addition it offers improved product properties. Novakand Pharma has conducted a Phase I study with fosrugocrixan in healthy volunteers.

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