Treeline Biosciences, a company at the forefront of innovative cancer research, recently announced significant progress in its clinical development. They have started Phase 1 trials for three promising programs, two of which are internally discovered, and one is an in-licensed project. The internal programs include a BCL6 degrader and an EZH2 inhibitor, both of which target lymphoma. The third program is a pan-KRAS inhibitor aimed at various cancers with specific KRAS mutations. The company also recently closed a $200 million extension of its Series A funding round, bringing its total raised capital to over $1.1 billion.
The BCL6 degrader, designated as TLN-121, is designed to specifically eliminate BCL6, a protein that certain lymphoma cells exploit to silence genes that could otherwise impede their growth and survival. This innovative approach aims to selectively remove BCL6 from cancer cells, minimizing off-target effects that could lead to toxicity and potentially enabling combination therapies with existing lymphoma treatments. The current trial is enrolling patients with different types of B-cell and T-cell lymphomas.
The second program, a pan-KRAS inhibitor identified as TLN-372, addresses a significant unmet need in cancer therapy. About one in four adult cancers involves alterations in the KRAS gene. While recent developments have led to FDA-approved drugs targeting specific KRAS mutations, such as G12C, many other variants remain unaddressed. The TLN-372 inhibitor utilizes novel chemistry specifically designed for the deep and continuous inhibition of the KRAS pathway across various mutations. The ongoing Phase 1 trial will enroll patients with solid tumors carrying KRAS alterations, offering hope for broader treatment options.
The third program involves an EZH2 inhibitor, known as TLN-254, which is intended for the treatment of lymphoma. EZH2 is a gene regulator that is often overactive or mutated in different cancers. This small molecule inhibitor was licensed after demonstrating promising results in Phase 2 testing for refractory lymphoma. The current Phase 1 trial is enrolling patients with peripheral and cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, aiming to further explore its safety and efficacy.
The investment mentioned above reflects confidence from a diverse group of investors, including venture funds, private equity firms, and established financial institutions. Notable among these are AI Life Sciences, affiliated with Access Industries; ARCH Venture Partners; OrbiMed; GV, the venture capital arm of Google; KKR; and several other prominent investment firms. These resources support Treeline’s commitment to leveraging advanced computational tools and innovative science to accelerate the development of therapies across a range of diseases, including cancers, neurological disorders, and autoimmune conditions.
Founded by experienced leaders, Josh Bilenker and Jeff Engelman, Treeline’s team combines deep expertise in oncology research and development. Josh, who previously founded Loxo Oncology—known for developing three FDA-approved medicines—brings a wealth of industry knowledge. Jeff, having served as director of thoracic oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital and later as global head of oncology at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, complements this scientific leadership.
Overall, Treeline Biosciences emphasizes that its mission is centered on creating therapies that can make a meaningful difference for patients while ensuring the company’s longevity and scalability. With a focus on employing cutting-edge computational and scientific approaches, the organization aims to bring innovative treatments from the lab to the clinic, addressing some of the most challenging and unmet needs in medicine today.
KEY QUOTE:
“We aspire to create the next great enduring biopharma company. Our funding mandate has allowed us to recruit proven scientists, rigorously test assumptions and curate a pipeline from parallel discovery efforts. BCL6 and KRAS are formidable targets that required difficult chemistry and novel assay development. We hope these programs deliver for patients and create momentum for our next set of clinical entries.”
Josh Bilenker, M.D., Treeline’s Co-Founder and CEO
