Mario Sznol, MD, Leader of the Melanoma Clinical Research Team at the Yale Cancer Center, Joins Thetis Scientific Advisory Board (11/7/2023)
Dr. Sznol to guide clinical investigation of Thetis lead compound TP-317 in metastatic melanoma
ESSEX, CT – (November 7, 2023) – Thetis Pharmaceuticals LLC (“Thetis”), a biopharmaceutical company developing a first-in-class, oral small molecule Resolvin E1-based drug to treat cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases, announced today that Dr. Mario Sznol has joined its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Dr. Sznol is Professor of Medicine, Clinical Research Team Leader (Melanoma-Renal Cancer Program), and Co-Leader of Cancer Immunology Program at the Yale Cancer Center.
Gary Mathias, Chief Executive Officer of Thetis, commented, “Dr. Sznol has an international reputation with unique expertise and experience in cancer immunotherapy, drug development for cancer, and treatment of patients with melanoma and renal cell carcinoma, which makes him a perfect choice to help Thetis in the development of TP-317 to treat metastatic melanoma. Dr. Sznol is an expert in clinical application of immune checkpoint inhibitors and brings an important perspective to our clinical strategy for TP-317, which in preclinical studies has shown single agent efficacy comparable to standard-of-care immunotherapy and chemotherapy and enhanced efficacy when combined with these other agents.”
Dr. Sznol noted that “TP-317 offers a highly differentiated strategy to address resistance to immunotherapy in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which is an important target in cancer drug development. I am delighted to join the Thetis SAB to help develop this promising small molecule drug for metastatic melanoma.”
Dr. Sznol joins the Thetis SAB with 35 years of experience in cancer research and development. He graduated from Baylor College of Medicine where he subsequently trained in internal medicine, and then completed a medical oncology fellowship in the Department of Neoplastic Diseases at Mount Sinai Hospital. He spent the next twelve years in the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program of the National Cancer Institute. From 1999-2004, he served as Vice President of Clinical Development and Executive Officer of Vion Pharmaceuticals in New Haven, Connecticut. In 2004, he joined the medical oncology faculty of the Yale University School of Medicine as co-leader of the Melanoma Program and is currently Professor of Internal Medicine, Leader of the Melanoma-Renal Cancer Clinical Research Team, and Co-Director of Cancer Immunology Program.
About TP-317
Overview: TP-317 is a patented small molecule drug that delivers Resolvin E1, an endogenous lipid mediator that activates BLT1to regulate immune homeostasis. Unlike anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-cancer agents that are immuno-suppressive, TP-317 activates innate and adaptive immune pathways to treat disease without compromising host-protective immunity.
Cancer Program: TP-317 is being developed in cancer as an adjunct to standard of care therapy in refractory metastatic melanoma, advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and pancreatic cancer. Preclinical studies with oral TP-317 in tumor models of these cancers have shown potent single-agent activity, and enhanced efficacy when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors or chemotherapy.
IBD Program: TP-317 is being developed in IBD as first-line, oral therapy for mild-to-moderate Crohn’s disease and as second-line, oral therapy for mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis in patients who are not well controlled on 5-ASA or corticosteroids. TP-317 also has potential to treat moderate-to-severe IBD as adjunct therapy to standard-of-care biologics or oral immunomodulators. The anticipated high safety premium for TP-317 further supports early intervention in IBD and other immune disorders.
About Thetis Pharmaceuticals
Thetis is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the lives of patients suffering from cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases. Thetis’ proprietary HEALER™ technology enables the pharmaceutical development of Resolvins, overcoming the stability, manufacturing, and formulation hurdles that have limited their commercial development. Thetis is supported by venture capital investors, NIH, and leading philanthropies, including the Helmsley Charitable Trust, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, and the Kenneth Rainin Foundation.
Disclaimer
TP-317 is an investigational drug product that has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Contact Information
For more information, please visit Thetis Pharmaceuticals’ website (www.thetispharma.com) or email us at info@thetispharma.com.