NeoPhore

About NeoPhore

NeoPhore is a biotechnology company developing small molecule drugs to treat cancer by stimulating the patient's immune system. The company was founded in November 2017 as a spin-out from the University of Turin and PhoreMost Ltd. Its scientific founders are Professor Alberto Bardelli and Giovanni Germano, whose research into DNA mismatch repair (MMR) forms the basis of the company's therapeutic approach.

The company's core strategy is to inhibit the MMR pathway in cancer cells. This process is designed to increase the creation of cancer neoantigens—abnormal proteins arising from DNA mutations—which makes the cancer cells visible and vulnerable to the patient's immune system. By inducing neoantigen expression, NeoPhore aims to turn immunologically 'cold' tumors 'hot', thereby making them more responsive to immunotherapies like checkpoint inhibitors. This approach is validated by the clinical success of checkpoint inhibitors in patients with naturally MMR-deficient tumors.

NeoPhore's business model is focused on the discovery and preclinical development of a pipeline of first-in-class MMR modulators. The lead program targets the MMR protein PMS2, with its compound NP1867 showing promising results in inhibiting MMR in cell-based assays. The company collaborates with academic institutions, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, to advance its research. NeoPhore is privately held and has secured significant venture capital funding to advance its drug discovery pipeline toward clinical trials. The company has raised a total of $44.6 million through several funding rounds, including a Series B round and subsequent extensions, with backing from investors like Sixth Element Capital, Claris Ventures, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Astellas Venture Management.