Revolutionizing Cancer Therapy: Eris Biotech's Innovative Approach to Safer and More Effective Treatments

In the world of oncology, the battle against cancer often feels like a race against time, with traditional therapies posing as much risk as the disease itself. However, a groundbreaking solution is on the horizon, thanks to the pioneering efforts of Eris Biotech (YC W24) .

The inception of Eris Biotech arose from a collective realization among its founders, Evita Weagel, Ph.D. and Rachel Brog Garlick . They observed a recurring obstacle in drug development: while many drugs showed promise in treating various conditions, concerns about toxicity hindered their progress beyond lead optimization. This dilemma was particularly evident in cancer therapies, where systemic toxicity often outweighed the benefits of treatment.

At the core of Eris Biotech's mission lies the desire to make therapeutics safer and more effective by addressing the issue of systemic toxicity. Their journey began with a focus on mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer with alarmingly low survival rates and limited treatment options.

Mesothelioma, characterized by its growth on the pleura surrounding the lungs, presents a formidable challenge to both patients and clinicians. Existing treatments not only exhibit limited efficacy but also pose significant risks due to systemic toxicity. With most patients facing a grim prognosis within months of diagnosis, there is an urgent need for a paradigm shift in treatment approaches.

Enter Eris Biotech's innovative solution: hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs). These drugs are designed to remain inert until they encounter a low-oxygen (hypoxic) environment, which is characteristic of solid tumors like mesothelioma. By selectively activating within the tumor microenvironment while sparing healthy tissues, HAPs offer the potential for potent anti-cancer effects with minimal systemic toxicity.

The development of Eris Biotech's first HAP involved cutting-edge AI drug discovery tools and a vast library of over 2.6 million compounds. The resulting compound disrupts communication between the tumor and its surroundings, effectively starving the tumor of essential resources and activating the immune system's response against cancer cells.

Through their groundbreaking approach, Eris Biotech aims to revolutionize cancer therapy by offering safer, more targeted treatments that hold the promise of improving patient outcomes and quality of life. With mesothelioma serving as a starting point, their innovative HAPs have the potential to transform the landscape of oncology and provide hope to countless patients facing cancer's relentless grip.

As Eris Biotech continues to advance their research and development efforts, their journey underscores the transformative power of innovation in tackling some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare. With each milestone reached, they bring us one step closer to a future where cancer is no longer an insurmountable foe, but a conquerable adversary.