We Are Going After Diseases that Have Largely Eluded Other Targeted Approaches
We are advancing our clinical-stage drug candidate, tamibarotene, for higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (HR-MDS) patients with RARA gene overexpression. We have also done substantial work evaluating tamibarotene for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), but we are no longer investing capital in the program at this time. In addition, SY-5609, a highly selective and potent oral inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 7, or CDK7, was previously in clinical development for pancreatic cancer. Syros is seeking out-licensing opportunities for further development of SY-5609.
Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (HR-MDS)
Higher-risk Myelodysplastic syndrome (HR-MDS) is a bone marrow disorder in which the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells. Low blood cell counts, referred to as cytopenias, are a hallmark feature of HR-MDS and are responsible for some of the symptoms that HR-MDS patients experience, including infection, anemia, spontaneous bleeding, or easy bruising. Approved therapies for HR-MDS offer limited efficacy, underscoring the need for better treatment options. We are focused on a subset of HR-MDS patients with RARA overexpression. In these patients, abnormally high expression of the RARA gene contributes to their disease. We estimate about 50 percent of MDS patients are positive for RARA overexpression.