ENB Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in New York City, specializing in the development of endothelin B receptor (ETBR) inhibitors aimed at overcoming resistance to immune-based cancer therapies. Founded in 2015 by Dr. Sumayah Jamal and Dr. Robert Schneider, the company focuses on creating therapies that enhance the efficacy of existing immuno-oncology treatments.
Product Pipeline
ENB Therapeutics' lead product candidate is ENB-003, a selective small molecule ETBR inhibitor. ENB-003 is designed to block the ETBR, which is implicated in promoting uncontrolled cancer growth, metastasis, and immune evasion. By inhibiting ETBR, ENB-003 aims to restore the immune system's ability to detect and destroy cancer cells.
The company's pipeline also includes second-generation ETBR inhibitors:
- ENB-004: An orally bioavailable ETBR inhibitor in preclinical development.
- ENB-005 & ENB-006: Discovery-stage ETBR inhibitors with high potency and selectivity.
- ENB-007: A central nervous system-targeted ETBR inhibitor in the discovery phase.
Clinical Development
ENB Therapeutics has been actively advancing ENB-003 through clinical trials:
- Phase 1b ENBOLDEN-101 Study: This study evaluated ENB-003 in combination with Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), in patients with advanced refractory cancers. Top-line results presented in November 2023 demonstrated encouraging objective responses, disease control, and progression-free survival in patients with metastatic platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian cancer. The combination was well-tolerated, with an objective response rate of 40% and a disease control rate of 80% among the evaluated patients.
- Orphan Drug Designation: In May 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Orphan Drug Designation to ENB-003 for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, recognizing its potential to address unmet medical needs in rare diseases.
Collaborations
ENB Therapeutics has established strategic collaborations to enhance its clinical development efforts:
- Merck & Co.: A clinical trial collaboration to evaluate ENB-003 in combination with KEYTRUDA® in patients with advanced solid tumors.
- Coherus BioSciences and Cancer Research Institute (CRI): In May 2024, ENB Therapeutics announced a collaboration with Coherus BioSciences and CRI to evaluate the combination of ENB-003 with Coherus' anti-PD-1 antibody, LOQTORZI® (toripalimab-tpzi), in a clinical trial targeting platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
Market Position and Competitive Landscape
ENB Therapeutics operates in the competitive field of immuno-oncology, focusing on overcoming resistance to existing therapies. Competitors include companies developing immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapies, and other novel immunotherapies. ENB's unique approach targeting the ETBR pathway differentiates it within the market.
Financial Overview
As of 2024, ENB Therapeutics has raised approximately $20.5 million in funding from investors such as Avestria Ventures, Alexandria Venture Investments, BioAdvance, Remiges Ventures, and Accelerate New York Seed Fund. The company has a team of seven employees dedicated to advancing its therapeutic pipeline.
