Human cancers are shown to have genetic alterations in components of multiple, intersecting signaling pathways, or networks, that are selected over several generations of cell division and support survival, growth, and invasion of the cancer cell.  These genetic alterations afford the cancer cell a malignant phenotype, which results in the formation and maintenance of a tumor.  We believe that targeting these critical components and signaling pathways, either singly or in combination, could provide more effective drugs and improve outcomes for cancer patients. We are developing small molecule drug candidates that are designed and discovered internally or acquired through license, which target a number of critical components and pathways altered in different human cancers

Curis is developing several proprietary clinical-stage small molecules in testing for various cancers, including antagonist of IAP proteins CUDC-427, dual PI3K and HDAC inhibitor CUDC-907 and EGFR/Her2 and HDAC inhibitor CUDC-101. 

Curis’ collaborator Genentech (Roche) is commercializing Hedgehog pathway inhibitor Erivedge® (vismodegib) in the U.S. for advanced basal cell carcinoma.  Roche continues to seek approvals for Erivedge in several different territories in this lead indication and is also testing Erivedge in less severe forms of BCC.  Several additional clinical studies are ongoing under collaborations between Genentech and the National Cancer Institute and independent study investigators.

Curis licensee Debiopharm is also conducting clinical studies on HSP90 inhibitor Debio 0932 in patients with advanced lung cancer and expects to initiate additional testing in patients with renal cell carcinoma during the second half of 2013.