Domain Therapeutics is a biotech company specializing in drug discovery and development targeting G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) for immuno-oncology and inflammatory diseases.
Congratulations on becoming the new CEO of Domain Therapeutics. What was your journey before Domain?
I trained as a molecular biologist but quickly realized that working in a lab was not for me. I transitioned into market research and business planning, which eventually introduced me to biotech. I later pursued an MBA and moved into business development, working primarily with small biotech companies to out-license products to large pharmaceutical firms. My career has taken me from Montreal to Copenhagen and Ghent before returning to Canada.
I first became involved with Domain in early 2023 when I was brought in by the board and investors to help support management through a transition period. That experience allowed me to familiarize myself with the company’s pipeline, platform, and, most importantly, its team and culture. When the opportunity arose to step in as CEO in April, it was an easy decision because I already had a deep understanding of Domain’s capabilities and potential.
Could you explain what GPCR-targeting cancer immunotherapies are?
GPCRs, or G-protein-coupled receptors, are a class of biological targets that sit at the surface of cells, playing a key role in signaling pathways. Despite being complex structures with extensive downstream signaling, they are a highly druggable class. Interestingly, GPCR-targeting drugs account for about 30% of approved products today, but most of these focus on CNS and cardiometabolic diseases.
That leaves significant untapped potential in areas like immuno-oncology and inflammation, which remain relatively underserved. Domain has built a platform specifically designed to target GPCRs for drug discovery, allowing us to explore new possibilities and bring innovative treatments to patients in these fields.
What role do partnerships play for Domain?
Partnerships are in Domain’s DNA. The company has been around for a long time, and much of its early success came through strategic collaborations. We have partnered with leading companies such as Ono, Merck, Boehringer Ingelheim, and currently maintain active partnerships with Pfizer and BMS. Beyond bringing in non-dilutive capital to sustain operations, these partnerships have served as a testament to the strength of our platform.
Through these collaborations, we have built extensive expertise that we now apply to our internal pipeline. Since 2020, we have shifted our focus towards internal development, leveraging the knowledge gained from past partnerships to advance our own drug candidates.
Could you walk us through your internal pipeline?
Around 2021, we pivoted towards internal development, with our first product entering clinical trials in 2022 targeting the EP4 receptor. This receptor is linked to resistance against various immunotherapies. We recently completed a Phase 1 monotherapy dose escalation trial and are now preparing for a sarcoma patient phase 2 trial in collaboration with a dedicated consortium of experts (RHU CONDOR) led by a worldwide KOL in the field practicing at Bergonie Institute Bordeaux and Institut Gustave Roussy Paris. .
Beyond this, we have two promising assets set to enter the clinic within the next 12 months. One is an immuno-oncology antibody targeting CCR8, which has gained significant industry attention—BMS recently announced their CCR8 program as part of their launch pipeline for 2028-2030. Our differentiated approach ensures better receptor binding and interaction with the immune system, potentially leading to superior outcomes. Our second program targets PAR2, an inflammatory pathway, and we are taking a unique disease modifying small-molecule approach, which differs from the biologic-based therapies currently in clinical development.
What have the patient response rates been so far?
The current standard in immuno-oncology, immune checkpoint inhibitors, achieves response rates of about 30% on average. That leaves a significant number of patients who do not benefit from this approach. Researchers have been searching for ways to break through this efficacy ceiling, and GPCR-targeting therapies offer promising potential.
Early clinical data indicate that, in specific patient subpopulations, response rates could reach 60-70%. While there are caveats—such as small sample sizes and biomarker-driven patient selection—the data is encouraging and has generated excitement within the field. The hope is that our approach will push response rates even further in certain patient groups.
Broadly speaking, when do you expect GPCR-targeting therapies to become widely available?
We are moving our anti-CCR8 antibody into clinical development in Q2 of this year and expect to see early biomarker-based efficacy signals by the end of the year. While we are not the first to enter the clinic, BMS has indicated that their CCR8 program could launch between 2028 and 2030.
Our goal is to accelerate development and match that timeline. If our trials proceed as expected, we could see GPCR-targeting therapies reaching patients within the next five years.
How would you describe the current market environment?
The current market environment is challenging. 2023 was a difficult year for venture capital investment, 2024 has been worse, and analysts predict that 2025 may be even tougher. Private biotech companies face significant funding hurdles as a result.
That said, we benefit from strong science and an attractive target class, which helps generate interest from strategic partners. When major pharmaceutical companies are interested, investors tend to follow. While I would certainly welcome more investor engagement, we have continued support from our shareholders and are making solid progress toward closing our Series B funding round this year.
Looking ahead, where do you see Domain Therapeutics in the next few years?
Our priority is to achieve our clinical milestones, particularly demonstrating efficacy for our anti-CCR8 and PAR2-targeting therapies. If successful, we will be in a strong position with a diversified pipeline by the first half of 2027.
This progress would set the stage for a potential listing on the NASDAQ or NYSE, allowing us to fuel future growth. Ultimately, our goal is to bring these therapies to market, launching first in the U.S. and then expanding globally.
