Anand you have a degree in political science and biology. What connects these two disciplines?
My interest in both political science and biology comes from a deep curiosity about both fields. Initially, I entered undergraduate studies with the expectation of becoming a doctor—a common path in my community. However, my fascination with how humans organize themselves politically led me to explore political science as well. My academic journey initially focused on healthcare policy but shifted towards environmental policy when I realized that lawyers, rather than doctors, were more instrumental in effecting changes at the organizational level. This interplay of interests has significantly shaped my educational and professional trajectory.
Why did you choose a Welsh name for your company?
The Welsh name for our company, Faeth, which means ‘nutrient’, was inspired by my co-founder, Oliver Maddocks, who is Welsh. The decision to select a Welsh name emerged naturally during the brainstorming process for a name that would resonate with the essence of our company's focus on the ways in which metabolism can impact cancer growth and treatment.
Can you explain the role of metabolism in the fight against cancer?
Historically, the first approaches to treating cancer targeted either the surgical removal of tumors or the disruption of cancer metabolism, due to limited understanding of genetics. With advancements in genetic sequencing in the 1990s and early 2000s, the perception of cancer shifted towards being viewed primarily as a genetic disease. However, this perspective overlooks the critical role of metabolism in cancer. While there are numerous drugs targeting cancer genetics, interventions focusing on cancer metabolism are scarce. Faeth is targeting the metabolic aspects of cancer in hopes of developing transformative advancements in cancer treatment.
Why has the metabolic approach to cancer remained under the radar?
The challenge in treating cancer through metabolism is not merely a matter of current trends or preferences; it stems from the inherent complexity of metabolic processes. Metabolic pathways are not straightforward; they are multipolar and exhibit a high degree of plasticity, making targeting them more complicated than the binary on/off switches of genes. Our approach, which combines targeting genetic pathways known for their involvement in cancer with a focus on their metabolic functions, aims to block multiple escape routes that tumors might use, thereby preventing resistance and enhancing treatment efficacy.
How does Faeth’s lead program work in targeting cancer metabolism?
Our lead therapy program focuses on the PI3 kinase pathway, a key driver in cancer proliferation and metabolism. Traditional treatments have targeted a single component of this pathway, allowing tumors to find escape routes.
By simultaneously inhibiting multiple nodes within this pathway, including PI3 kinase, mTOR1, mTOR2, and insulin signaling, we prevent these escapes, effectively cornering the cancer cells and significantly reducing their survival options.
Can you share a success story from your clinical trials?
A particular patient with endometrial cancer participating in one of our trials comes to mind; her journey exemplifies the potential of our approach. Despite having a genetic predisposition to cancer, indicated by her family history, the combination of genetics and metabolism-focused treatments has effectively cured her cancer. Her experience underscores the importance of considering both genetic and metabolic factors in cancer therapy, highlighting the innovative direction of our research and its potential to change lives.
What are the cancers you are currently targeting?
We have observed responses in endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancer in a Phase Ib trial with our lead program. We plan to launch a Phase II trial in endometrial cancer this year. Our approach, however, has broader applicability, extending across multiple tumor types.
What role does technology play in your development pipeline?
Machine learning is pivotal to our discovery and development strategy. Faeth leverages machine learning and comprehensive metabolic and tumor data sets to identify interventions tailored to both tumor type and genotype. This approach is integral in moving beyond the traditional genetic view of cancer, incorporating the complexity of metabolism and plasticity into our treatment paradigms.
In your studies, have you found any common dietary recommendations that could benefit cancer treatment?
Cancer's genetic diversity means that what works for one type may not work for another; thus, there are no universal dietary recommendations effective across all cancers. Each cancer type, like a KRAS-mutated tumor versus a PI3 kinase-mutated tumor, requires a distinct approach due to its unique characteristics and behavior. This specificity underscores the complexity of cancer treatment and the necessity of personalized strategies over broad generalizations.
How important are partnerships and collaborations in your work at Faeth Therapeutics?
Collaboration and competition are crucial for advancing our understanding and treatment of cancer. While we have made strides in considering cancer as a metabolic disease, the current focus remains heavily on genetics and immunotherapy. To truly explore and unlock the potential of metabolic interventions, we need the engagement of both big pharma and new entrants in the space. The goal is not only to foster innovation within Faeth but to also catalyze a broader shift in the industry towards metabolic approaches, leveraging existing academic research and translating these insights into effective treatments.
Where do you see Faeth Therapeutics in the next five years?
Our vision for the next five years is to have an approved product on the market with another close behind, establishing metabolism-focused treatments as a mainstream and undisputed modality alongside genetics and immunotherapy. This ambition reflects our belief in the transformative potential of our approach to significantly impact cancer treatment, akin to the revolution brought about by mRNA technology for COVID-19.
