Science
Galera is developing a pipeline of proprietary small molecules targeting critical vulnerabilities in cancer cells, immune cells, and the tumor microenvironment. Its portfolio includes superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetics and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, both designed to address key pathological processes in cancer biology.
Superoxide Dismutase Mimetics
Superoxide is a highly reactive oxygen radical capable of damaging essential biological molecules, including proteins and lipids. Under normal conditions, superoxide is rapidly converted into hydrogen peroxide by natural enzymes called superoxide dismutases. However, certain pathological processes, such as cancer and autoimmune diseases, can generate excessive amounts of superoxide, overwhelming the natural enzymatic defenses and amplifying tissue damage. Furthermore, cancer therapies like radiotherapy and chemotherapy can trigger bursts of superoxide production that exceed the capacity of natural enzymes, exacerbating oxidative stress and harming healthy tissues.
Galera’s superoxide dismutase mimetics mimic the activity of natural SOD enzymes, efficiently converting superoxide into hydrogen peroxide to mitigate oxidative damage. The company’s leading candidates, avasopasem and rucosopasem, have been extensively studied in multiple clinical trials involving hundreds of patients. Galera plans to evaluate Avasopasem in a clinical trial for patients with hormone-resistant advance breast cancer.
Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitors
Nitric oxide (NO) plays a dual role in cancer biology, contributing to both tumor progression and suppression depending on the context. Through its interactions with reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide, NO influences signaling pathways, gene expression, and cellular processes critical to cancer progression. It promotes angiogenesis, cell proliferation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), facilitating cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Additionally, NO can suppress cytotoxic T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, enabling tumors to evade immune surveillance.
Galera’s portfolio includes tilarginine (L-NMMA), a pan-NOS inhibitor designed to reduce NO production and counteract its harmful effects. Tilarginine has demonstrated promising preliminary activity in combination with chemotherapeutic agents, such as taxanes, in patients with highly resistant forms of breast cancer. It is currently being evaluated in clinical trials for advanced and metastatic breast cancer.