On September 30, 2014 OncoMed Pharmaceuticals reported the advancement of the first small molecule Wnt pathway inhibitor under its collaboration with Bayer Pharma AG. The small molecule product candidate is advancing to preclinical development triggering a $2 million milestone payment to OncoMed (Press release OncoMed, SEP 30, 2014, View Source [SID:1234500771]).

John Lewicki, Ph.D., OncoMed’s Chief Scientific Officer, commented, “By combining OncoMed’s anti-cancer stem cell discovery expertise and platform technologies with Bayer’s medicinal chemistry capabilities, we have identified a novel small molecule candidate targeting the Wnt pathway. Early preclinical testing of this molecule’s activity demonstrates robust anti-tumor and anti-cancer stem cell activity that warrants further testing.”

OncoMed and Bayer initiated joint discovery efforts to identify small molecule inhibitors of the Wnt pathway, a key cancer stem cell pathway, as part of the companies’ collaboration initiated in 2010. This is the first small molecule inhibitor of a cancer stem cell pathway from the collaboration to enter preclinical development. Bayer will lead development and commercialization of Wnt small molecule product candidates. As part of this collaboration, OncoMed is leading the advancement of two clinical-stage biologic candidates, vantictumab (anti-FZD7, OMP-18R5) and ipafricept (Fzd8-Fc, OMP-54F28), through multiple Phase 1b studies.

“OncoMed’s biologics targeting the Wnt pathway, vantictumab and ipafricept, have made steady clinical progress, demonstrating potent on-target activity,” said Paul Hastings, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OncoMed. “The achievement in the small molecule program is further validation of this important cancer stem cell pathway and the successful alliance between Bayer and OncoMed. We look forward to the continued development of this promising new preclinical candidate.”