WE MAKE BRAIN CANCER TREATMENTS BETTER AND SAFER
We are developing cutting-edge small molecule therapeutics for patients of all ages, focusing on both primary and metastatic brain cancers. Our approach is to enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments, offering patients a better chance at survival and an improved quality of life.
THE URGENT CHALLENGE OF BRAIN CANCER
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Brain cancers, both pediatric and adult, often have a terrible prognosis.
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Standard-of-care treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy, are not always effective and can have severe toxic side effects including bone marrow toxicity and neurocognitive decline.
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There is a significant unmet need to enhance patients' response to standard of care treatments while minimizing associated toxic side effects.
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Many therapies are not highly blood-brain barrier penetrant.
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Many therapies do not act on the tumor microenvironment in the brain, to turn "cold" tumors "hot" and responsive to immunotherapies.
AMLAL’S INNOVATIVE SOLUTION
MAKING CANCER TREATMENTS BETTER AND SAFER
Amlal is focused on treating brain cancers in both pediatric and adult patients, targeting both primary and metastatic tumors. Amlal’s new class of small molecule, brain-penetrant therapeutics sensitizes the tumor microenvironment to treatment.
Our small molecules can provide an alternative option to current treatments or be used in addition to them, enhancing the effectiveness of existing treatments like radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Our approach aims to make treatments better and safer for patients.
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COMPELLING EVIDENCE OF AMLAL'S BREAKTHROUGH
Amlal's innovative approach has already shown impressive results in preclinical animal models including for medulloblastoma, glioblastoma, melanoma, and brain-metastatic lung cancer. Our small molecules, for example, have in preclinical animal models significantly boosted the effectiveness of radiotherapy, helping to control tumor growth and improve survival rates far beyond what radiation alone can achieve. These promising findings highlight the potential of our approach to make a real difference in the fight against cancer.
WHY CHOOSE AMLAL?
NOVEL TARGET, NEW DRUG
Amlal's small molecules take advantage of a unique vulnerability in cancer cells, intrinsic GABA-A receptors. By activating these receptors, Amlal’s small molecules create a bioelectric imbalance in cancer cells that will trigger a powerful autophagic response, making the tumor more sensitive to treatment, including radiation. Our innovative strategy targets cancer cells precisely, enhancing the effectiveness of treatments.
PROVEN PRECLINICAL SUCCESS
Amlal's research has shown promising results in preclinical studies for several indications. Our small molecules have significantly boosted the effectiveness of radiotherapy in mouse models of medulloblastoma, melanoma, and brain-metastatic lung cancer. These findings highlight our potential to control tumor growth and improve survival rates beyond what radiation alone can achieve.
RISK MITIGATING MILESTONES
Amlal's small molecules are designed to be highly brain-penetrant and brain-resident, ensuring they reach the tumor site and are effective. Importantly, the small molecules do not impact the bone marrow, minimizing potential side effects. Amlal’s novel therapies are patented and licensed. Amlal possesses a strong IP portfolio that includes comprehensive coverage of our unique compositions and methods, ensuring the protection and advancement of our groundbreaking treatments.
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS
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UNDERSTANDING GABA-A RECEPTORS IN NEURONS
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IN ADULT NEURONS - GABA-A receptors help to ‘calm’ adult brain cells by making them less likely to send signals.
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IN DEVELOPING NEURONS - GABA-A receptors contribute to exciting developing brain cells and more likely to send signals.
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WHY THIS HAPPENS - This happens because the way chloride ions move changes as the brain cells mature.
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TARGETING GABA-A RECEPTORS TO FIGHT CANCER
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GABA-A RECEPTOR FUNCTION - These are like gates that let chloride ions in and out of cells.
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HEALTHY CELLS VS.CANCER CELLS - In healthy cells, chloride ions go in, but in cancer cells, they go out.
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HOW OUR TREATMENT WORKS - Our special molecules target these gates in cancer cells, making more chloride ions go out.
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EFFECTS ON MITOCHONDRIA - This makes the cell's energy factories (mitochondria) dramatically change their optimal charge.
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RECEPTOR CLUSTERING - Many gates gather on the cancer cell's surface, causing a significant charge imbalance. Commensurate with this are clustering of molecules in the cell.
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RESULTING CELL DEATH - This charge imbalance and clustering makes the cancer cells start a process that leads to their death, without harming healthy cells.
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A MAJORITY FEMALE OWNED STARTUP
OUR TEAM
CO-FOUNDERS — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CEO
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Expertise in gene expression mechanisms and drug development
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Member, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Doctoral Mentor, S. Altman (Nobel Laureate) at Yale University
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Solved seminal structures of splicing machinery
Graduate of the NSF I-Corp program
Daniel Pomeranz Krummel, PhD
CEO, Amlal Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Co-founder, Amlal Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
CLINICIAN-SCIENTIST/TRIALIST
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Physician-scientist with MD and PhD from Cambridge University
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Specialty board-certified in Neuro-Oncology with training from Dana-Farber/Mass General/Boston Children’s Hospital
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Clinical trialist in the brain cancer space
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Member, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Soma Sengupta, MD, PhD, MBA, FRCP, FANA, FAAN
Co-founder, Amlal Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
MEDICINAL CHEMIST
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Expertise of over 30 years in medicinal chemistry and organic synthesis
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Filed more than 90 patents
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Authored over 550 publications
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Designed drugs to address a broad scope of patient-critical disorders, leveraging both his deep knowledge of chemistry and neuroscience and strong academic and industry partnerships.
James Cook, PhD, FRSC
Co-founder, Amlal Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Distinguished Professor, University Wisconsin-Milwaukee
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
CEO
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Expertise in gene expression mechanisms and drug development
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Member, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Doctoral Mentor, S. Altman (Nobel Laureate) at Yale University
-
Solved seminal structures of splicing machinery
-
Graduate of the NSF I-Corp program
Daniel Pomeranz Krummel, PhD
CEO, Amlal Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Co-founder, Amlal Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
CLINICIAN-SCIENTIST/TRIALIST
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Physician-scientist with MD and PhD from Cambridge University
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Specialty board-certified in Neuro-Oncology with training from Dana-Farber/Mass General/Boston Children’s Hospital
-
Clinical trialist in the brain cancer space
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Member, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Soma Sengupta, MD, PhD, MBA, FRCP, FANA, FAAN
Co-founder, Amlal Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
MEDICINAL CHEMIST
-
Expertise of over 30 years in medicinal chemistry and organic synthesis
-
Filed more than 90 patents
-
Authored over 550 publications
-
Designed drugs to address a broad scope of patient-critical disorders, leveraging both his deep knowledge of chemistry and neuroscience and strong academic and industry partnerships.
James Cook, PhD, FRSC
Co-founder, Amlal Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Distinguished Professor, University Wisconsin-Milwaukee
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What is Amlal?Amlal is a pioneering biotech company focused on developing innovative treatments for brain cancers by targeting GABA-A receptors in cancer cells. Amlal aims to improve the effectiveness of existing therapies like radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
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How does Amlal’s treatment work?Amlal’s treatments employ brain-penetrant small molecule therapeutics that target GABA-A receptors in cancer cells. By activating these receptors, our drugs create a bioelectric imbalance that selectively triggers autophagy, leading to the selective death of cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
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Who can benefit from Amlal’s treatments?Amlal’s therapies are being designed for patients with brain cancers, including both primary and metastatic tumors. Our focus to both pediatric and adult patients, aiming to enhance their response to traditional cancer treatments and improve overall outcomes.
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What makes Amlal’s approach unique?Amlal’s approach is unique because it targets the specific vulnerabilities of cancer cell GABA-A receptors. This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of traditional treatments like radiation but also minimizes toxic side effects, providing a safer and more effective cancer therapy.
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What evidence supports Amlal’s treatments?Our preclinical animal studies in medulloblastoma, melanoma, and brain-metastatic lung cancer have shown that our small molecules significantly enhance the effects of radiotherapy. These studies demonstrate improved tumor control and increased survival rates compared to radiation alone.
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Are Amlal’s treatments safe?Yes, Amlal’s small-molecules are designed to be highly brain-penetrant and specifically target cancer cells without impacting bone marrow, minimizing potential side effects. Our treatments aim to enhance the safety and efficacy of existing cancer therapies.
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Is Amlal patented?Yes. Our novel therapies are patented and licensed.
CEO
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Expertise in gene expression mechanisms and drug development
-
Member, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
-
Doctoral Mentor, S. Altman (Nobel Laureate) at Yale University
-
Solved seminal structures of splicing machinery
Graduate of the NSF I-Corp program
Daniel Pomeranz Krummel, PhD
CEO, Amlal Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Co-founder, Amlal Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
CLINICIAN-SCIENTIST/TRIALIST
-
Physician-scientist with MD and PhD from Cambridge University
-
Specialty board-certified in Neuro-Oncology with training from Dana-Farber/Mass General/Boston Children’s Hospital
-
Clinical trialist in the brain cancer space
-
Member, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Soma Sengupta, MD, PhD, MBA, FRCP, FANA, FAAN
Co-founder, Amlal Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
James Cook, PhD, FRSC
Co-founder, Amlal Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Distinguished Professor, University Wisconsin-Milwaukee
WHAT'S NEW AT AMLAL
NEWS TITLE
Amlal's research has shown promising results in preclinical studies for several indications. Our small molecules have significantly boosted the effectiveness of radiotherapy in mouse models of medulloblastoma, melanoma, and brain-metastatic lung cancer. These findings highlight our potential to control tumor growth and improve survival rates beyond what radiation alone can achieve.
NEWS TITLE
Amlal's research has shown promising results in preclinical studies for several indications. Our small molecules have significantly boosted the effectiveness of radiotherapy in mouse models of medulloblastoma, melanoma, and brain-metastatic lung cancer. These findings highlight our potential to control tumor growth and improve survival rates beyond what radiation alone can achieve.
NEWS TITLE
Amlal's research has shown promising results in preclinical studies for several indications. Our small molecules have significantly boosted the effectiveness of radiotherapy in mouse models of medulloblastoma, melanoma, and brain-metastatic lung cancer. These findings highlight our potential to control tumor growth and improve survival rates beyond what radiation alone can achieve.
