Eisbach Bio GmbH, a privately held clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on cancer medicines leveraging synthetic lethality, has treated the first patient in Module 1 of the ongoing Phase 1/2 MATCH trial (NCT06525298) with the ALC1 inhibitor EIS-12656.
The goal of the study is to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and initial clinical efficacy of the allosteric ALC1 inhibitor in monotherapy. The study is being conducted at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and is supported by an investment from the Cancer Focus Fund, a dedicated investment fund in collaboration with MD Anderson.
EIS-12656 is a novel, selective, potent, orally administered, brain-penetrant inhibitor of chromatin helicase ALC1 (CHD1L), a key component in DNA damage and genome repair mechanisms. The drug inhibits ALC1 via allosteric mechanisms and thus suppresses the cancer-relevant genome reorganisation triggered by DNA damage. Preclinical data show rapid tumour growth inhibition, high bioavailability and excellent tolerability of EIS-12656.
“This milestone marks Eisbach’s entry into the cancer clinic with a transformative target and unique allosteric approach. ALC1 is a superior, orthogonal target in tumors with impaired DNA damage and repair. Its inhibitor EIS-12656 is the result of our ability to disrupt the function of the powerful machines that reorganize our genome in a very targeted manner.” said Dr. Adrian Schomburg, Founder and CEO of Eisbach. “This clinical study will assess the impact of EIS-12656’s ability to hit both genetic and molecular vulnerabilities in our cancer indications, potentially enabling its advancement as a drug that is both efficacious and well-tolerated.”
In May 2024, Eisbach announced the FDA approval of the IND application for EIS-12656.