Pipeline Overview
Second Genome has developed a rich pipeline of drug candidates through our differentiated approach.
Second Genome Pipeline
Second Genome is advancing deep drug discovery and biomarker pipelines with Precision Therapeutics and Biomarker programs. Second Genome’s two Precision Therapeutics programs include Immuno-oncology, to turn immune checkpoint inhibitor non-responders to responders, and Gastrointestinal Disorders, to directly improve mucosal healing in gastrointestinal disorders.
SG-2-0776
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a diverse disease of unknown etiology resulting in more frequent and bloody bowel movements accompanied with histopathological damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa. While specific triggers of disease remain poorly defined, one proposal of disease progression suggests that a breakdown of intestinal barrier function allows bacteria or bacterial components to translocate into mucosal tissue. Bacterial translocation results in activation of inflammatory signaling, which triggers additional barrier disruption, resulting in a cyclic amplification loop of barrier disruption, bacterial translocation and inflammation. While many current therapies target inflammation, the lack of therapies promoting mucosal healing provides an opportunity for novel therapies promoting epithelial repair and intestinal barrier integrity.
SG-2-0776 is a novel therapeutic protein derived from the microbiome that promotes mucosal healing of damaged epithelial surfaces. SG-2-0776 is currently in pre-clinical and IND-enabling studies, and we plan to initiate clinical development.
Immuno-Oncology
The gut microbiota has recently emerged as an important player in cancer pathology and therapy. Both murine and human data support that a specific microbiome composition could enhance clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy and offer novel therapeutic avenues.
Using our unique Microbiome Discovery Platform, we have identified several candidate molecules from the microbiome of ICI responder patients that exhibit robust in vitro and in vivo activity in relevant assays and disease models. We have leveraged our discovery engine to yield a portfolio of candidates that is able to specifically target either T-cells, dendritic cells, or macrophages. We are currently further characterizing, prioritizing, and optimizing these candidate lead molecules for IND-enabling studies.