Tango Therapeutics Announces Presentation of Preclinical Data on TNG260 and Discovery Platform Advances at SITC 37th Annual Meeting

Rhea-AI Summary

Tango Therapeutics announced the preclinical development of TNG260, a novel CoREST deacetylase inhibitor targeting STK11-mutant cancers. Presenting three abstracts at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer from November 8-12, 2022, the company aims to demonstrate how TNG260 potentially overcomes immune evasion associated with STK11 mutations, common in non-small cell lung cancers. Plans include submitting an IND application in H1 2023, highlighting the innovative approach to cancer treatment.

Positive

• TNG260 shows potential to reverse immune evasion in STK11-mutant cancers.
• Three abstracts accepted for presentation at a prominent cancer conference.
• Anticipated IND submission for TNG260 in the first half of 2023.

Negative

• STK11 mutations drive resistance to existing checkpoint inhibitors, highlighting the challenges in treatment.
• Limited operating history and no revenue generated from drug sales to date.

TNG260 is in preclinical development as a first-in-class CoREST deacetylase inhibitor for the treatment of STK11-mutant cancers

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tango Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: TNGX), a biotechnology company committed to discovering and delivering the next generation of precision cancer medicines, today announced that three abstracts have been selected for poster presentation at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 37^th Annual Meeting, November 8-12, 2022, in Boston, Massachusetts, and online.

“We are looking forward to presenting data on TNG260, a novel, highly selective CoREST inhibitor with the potential to reverse the immune evasion driven by STK11 loss-of-function mutations. STK11 mutations occur in approximately 15% of non-small cell lung cancers and render those tumors resistant to checkpoint inhibitors,” said Barbara Weber, M.D., President, and Chief Executive Officer of Tango Therapeutics. “This program is among the first to bring the power of genetic patient selection to immuno-oncology development, and we plan to submit an IND in the first half of next year. We also will be presenting data on our novel in vivo and in vitro functional genomic platforms, designed to identify additional immune evasion targets linked to specific tumor suppressor gene loss.”

Details on the Tango presentations at the SITC 37^th Annual Meeting are as follows:

Poster Title: TNG260, a CoREST-selective deacetylase inhibitor, reverses anti-PD1 resistance driven by loss of STK11
Abstract #: 444
Date and Time: Thursday, November 11, 2022, 9:00 AM ET

Poster Title: In vivo CRISPR screens identify HDAC1 as an immune sensitizer reversing immune resistance driven by STK11 loss
Abstract #: 1425
Date and Time: Wednesday, November 10, 2022, 9:00 AM ET

Poster Title: Whole genome CRISPR-Cas9 screens in a cancer cell line panel co-cultured with antigen-specific cytotoxic CD8 T cells are a powerful engine for immuno-oncology drug target discovery
Abstract #: 70
Date and Time: Thursday, November 11, 2022, 9:00 AM ET

Poster Title: Leveraging CRISPR-Cas9 screening platform for discovery of novel tumor intrinsic phagocytosis modulators
Abstract #: 1449
Date and Time: Wednesday, November 10, 2022, 9:00 AM ET

About TNG260, a novel CoREST inhibitor

STK11 loss-of-function mutations occur in ~15% of non-small cell lung cancer and drive immune evasion, rendering STK11-mutant tumors insensitive to the immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy that significantly prolongs survival in STK11-wild type cancers. STK11 mutations also are found in ~15% of cervical cancer, 10% of carcinoma of unknown primary, 5% of breast cancer and 3% of pancreatic cancer. TNG260 is a novel small molecule inhibitor of the Co-repressor of Repressor Element-1 Silencing Transcription (CoREST) deacetylase complex. TNG260 is being developed to reverse immune evasion in STK11 mutated cancers, with the aim of restoring sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibition. In preclinical studies, selective CoREST inhibition by TNG260 results in transcriptional reprogramming of STK11-mutant tumor cells, altering tumor cell cytokine secretion and markedly reducing recruitment of suppressive T cells to STK11-mutant tumors. TNG260 in combination with anti-PD1 treatment drives complete regressions in multiple syngeneic STK11-mutant xenograft models. The Company expects to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for TNG260 in the first half of 2023.

About Tango Therapeutics

Tango Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to discovering novel drug targets and delivering the next generation of precision medicine for the treatment of cancer. Using an approach that starts and ends with patients, Tango leverages the genetic principle of synthetic lethality to discover and develop therapies that take aim at critical targets in cancer. This includes expanding the universe of precision oncology targets into novel areas such as tumor suppressor gene loss and their contribution to the ability of cancer cells to evade immune cell killing. For more information, please visit www.tangotx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events, Tango’s future operating performance and goals, the anticipated benefits of therapies and combination therapies (that include a Tango pipeline product), expectations, beliefs and development objectives for Tango’s product pipeline and clinical trials. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “goal”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “predict”, “potential” or “continue”, or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. For example, statements concerning the following include or constitute forward-looking statements: TNG260 has the potential to reverse the immune evasion driven by STK11 mutations; the Company expects to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for TNG260 in the first half of 2023; Tango’s functional genomic platforms are designed to identify additional immune evasion targets linked to specific tumor suppressor gene loss; and the expected timing of: (i) development candidate declaration for certain targets; (ii) initiating IND-enabling studies; (iii) filing INDs; (iv) clinical trial initiation; and (v) disclosing initial and final clinical trial results. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Tango and its management, are inherently uncertain. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: the expected benefits of Tango pipeline products, development candidates and potential combination therapies that are seen in pre-clinical experiments may not be present in clinical trials or when used commercially or may not be safe and/or effective in humans; Tango’s functional genomic platforms may not identify immune evasion targets as expected, or at all; TNG260 may not reverse the immune evasion driven by STK11 mutations; Tango has limited experience conducting clinical trials and may not be able to commence the clinical trial when expected and may not generate results in the anticipated timeframe (or at all); the expected benefits of product candidates may not be evident when tested in the pre-clinical setting, clinical trials or when used in broader patient populations (if approved for commercial sale); Tango has a limited operating history and has not generated any revenue to date from drug sales, and may never become profitable; the Company may not be able to identify development candidates on the schedule it anticipates due to technical, financial or other reasons; the Company may not be able to file INDs for development candidates on time, or at all, due to technical or financial reasons or otherwise; the Company may utilize cash resources more quickly than anticipated; Tango will need to raise capital in the future and if we are unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, we would be forced to delay, scale back or discontinue some of our development programs, regulatory filings, or future commercialization efforts; we may be unable to advance our preclinical development programs into and through the clinic for safety or efficacy reasons or commercialize our product candidates or we may experience significant delays in doing so as a result of factors beyond Tango’s control; Tango’s approach to the discovery and development of product candidates is novel and unproven (including its discovery platform), which makes it difficult to predict the time, cost of development, and likelihood of successfully developing any products; Tango may not identify or discover additional product candidates or may expend limited resources to pursue a particular product candidate or indication and fail to capitalize on product candidates or indications that may be more profitable or for which there is a greater likelihood of success; our products candidates may cause adverse or other undesirable side effects (or may not show requisite efficacy) that could, among other things, delay or prevent regulatory approval; our dependence on third parties for conducting clinical trials and producing drug product; our ability to obtain and maintain patent and other intellectual property protection for our technology and product candidates or the scope of intellectual property protection obtained is not sufficiently broad; and delays and other impacts on product development and clinical trials from the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional information concerning risks, uncertainties and assumptions can be found in Tango’s filings with the SEC, including the risk factors referenced in Tango’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, as supplemented and/or modified by its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this presentation, which speak only as of the date they are made and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the cautionary statements herein. Tango specifically disclaims any duty to update these forward-looking statements.

Investor Contact:

Sam Martin/Andrew Vulis
Argot Partners
tango@argotpartners.com

Media Contact:

Joshua R. Mansbach
Argot Partners
tango@argotpartners.com

FAQ

What is TNG260 and its significance for STK11-mutant cancers?

TNG260 is a novel CoREST deacetylase inhibitor aimed at reversing immune evasion in STK11-mutant cancers, potentially restoring sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

When will Tango Therapeutics present data on TNG260?

Tango Therapeutics will present three abstracts related to TNG260 at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer's annual meeting from November 8-12, 2022.

What are the implications of STK11 mutations in cancer treatment?

STK11 mutations, occurring in about 15% of non-small cell lung cancers, render tumors resistant to checkpoint inhibitors, complicating treatment efforts.

What are the next steps for TNG260?

Tango plans to submit an Investigational New Drug application for TNG260 in the first half of 2023.

How does TNG260 differ from existing cancer treatments?

TNG260 takes a novel approach by specifically targeting immune evasion linked to STK11 mutations, which are resistant to many standard therapies.