One of the challenging and frustrating aspects of oncology drug development is in knowing a target is tractable, yet the results with multiple early stage products are disappointing.

Yes, this really was August weather…

What I mean by this is we may see a few partial responses here and there, but nothing substantial (except toxicities) and minimal clues as to why, despite several variations on a theme being tried in the clinic.

It can look pretty bleak out there for a while, much like Scottish locks in dreary August drizzle until the sun comes out and shines a light of hope.

It can take a long slog in the basic/translational biology coupled with medicinal chemistry efforts to figure out the clues and see where a fresh can lead.

Today it’s time for one of those sort of what I call Finding Nemo kind of stories where scientists identify the right cell/right compartment to start a new tranche of compounds ready for clinical assessment.  Those phase 1/2 trials are now ongoing, but what was the mystery issue and how did they solve for it?

The added bonus is there are three or four companies already ahead in the latest rollercoaster race…

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