pipeline

Deep modality-agnostic pipeline to shut down the RAS/MAPK pathway

We have assembled one of the deepest RAS/MAPK pathway-focused pipelines in the industry, consisting of modality-agnostic programs aligned with our three therapeutic strategies of: (1) targeting key upstream and downstream signaling nodes in the RAS/MAPK pathway; (2) targeting RAS directly; and (3) targeting escape routes that emerge in response to treatment. The target breadth and molecular diversity represented in our pipeline enable us to pursue a systematic, data-driven clinical development effort to identify single agent and combination approaches with the goal of prolonging survival in a wide range of patient populations with high unmet needs.

Our programs target the RAS/MAPK pathway at every turn

PROGRAM (TARGET)
Modality
Indication
Discovery
IND-enabling
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Worldwide Rights
ERAS-0015 (RAS)
RASm solid tumors
AURORAS-1
1
We initiated HERKULES-3, a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial for ERAS-007 in combination with various agents in patients with colorectal cancer.
ERAS-4001 (KRAS)
KRASm solid tumors
BOREALIS-1 (planned)
We initiated THUNDERBBOLT-1, a Phase 1 clinical trial for ERAS-801 in patients with recurrent GBM.
ERAS-12 (EGFR D2/D3)
EGFR & RAS/MAPK altered tumors
Small molecule
Small molecule molecular glue
Large molecule
Note: Pipeline also includes naporafenib pan-RAF inhibitor for NRASm melanoma (for which we are pausing the Phase 3 SEACRAFT-2 trial and exploring strategic alternatives), ERAS-007 ERK1/2 inhibitor, and ERAS-601 SHP2 inhibitor. ERAS-007 and ERAS-601 are being assessed in preclinical studies as potential combination partners with other programs in our pipeline for RAS/MAPK pathway inhibition
1Licensor Joyo Pharmatech, Ltd., retains rights to People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong and Macau, subject to our option to convert our territory to worldwide

Therapeutic Programs

ERAS-0015 (our pan-RAS inhibitor) and ERAS-4001 (our pan-KRAS inhibitor), are part of our RAS-targeting franchise. Our most-advanced product candidate is naporafenib (ERAS-254, our oral pan-RAF inhibitor). We are also advancing multiple other programs targeting key oncogenic drivers in the RAS/MAPK pathway.

ERAS-0015 AND ERAS-4001: OUR RAS-TARGETING FRANCHISE

Our RAS-targeting franchise is advancing molecules that potently and selectively bind oncogenic RAS alterations (e.g., G12X, G13X +/- Q61X) and block activation of wildtype RAS isoforms that mediate tumor resistance. These molecules prevent RAS-mediated signaling either by preventing RAS from binding to downstream effector proteins by forming a RAS-Cyclophilin A protein complex (as in the case of ERAS-0015) or by locking KRAS in the inactive GDP-bound state (as in the case of ERAS-4001). In preclinical studies that included contemporaneous side-by-side comparisons, ERAS-0015 demonstrated 5- to 10-fold greater in vitro and in vivo potency and favorable absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties and pharmacokinetic (PK) performance in animal species over another pan-RAS molecular glue in development. ERAS-4001 is a potent and selective inhibitor of KRAS that has the potential to provide an improved therapeutic window over RAS inhibitors and prevent KRAS wildtype-mediated resistance over mutant-selective approaches. We plan to advance ERAS-0015 and ERAS-4001 into the clinic to treat patients with (K)RASm solid tumors.

Naporafenib: our PAN-RAF inhibitor

Naporafenib is a potential first-in-class pan-RAF kinase inhibitor (with high potency and selectivity against BRAF and CRAF), and has been studied in over 600 patients to date. We are evaluating the molecule in NRASm melanoma, and indication where it has already shown promising clinical proof of concept, as well as exploring various combinations with other programs in our pipeline to target other RAS/MAPK pathway-driven tumors.

ERAS-12: our EGFR D2/D3 bispecific antibody program

Inhibition of wildtype EGFR signaling mediated by overexpression of EGFR has shown promise in treating various tumors, including HNSCC and CRC. In tumors where overexpression of EGFR is thought to be the primary driver of EGFR signaling, an antibody-based approach is the most effective way to target the receptor, and approved antibodies have demonstrated good tolerability as well as activity by inhibiting EGFR activation and mediating antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), a process by which the antibody alerts the immune system to attack the bound tumor cell. However, all approved anti-EGFR antibodies target domain III (D3) only, which is the inactive conformation of wildtype EGFR, and no approved antibodies target domain II (D2), which is the active, ligand binding, conformation of wildtype EGFR. Antibodies targeting D2 are expected to be more effective when epidermal growth factor (EGF) or other members of the EGF family are overexpressed. We are developing a bispecific antibody that is active against both the inactive and active conformations of wildtype EGFR.

ERAS-007: our ERK 1/2 inhibitor

ERAS-007 is the most potent ERK inhibitor in development and has the longest target residence time among ERK inhibitors that we are aware of. ERAS-007 has been evaluated as a single agent in a Phase 1 trial in patients with advanced solid tumors. Multiple objective responses were observed in patients with various tumor types, all of which harbor alterations (BRAF, HRAS, and NRAS) in the RAS/MAPK pathway, including melanoma, salivary gland cancer, NSCLC, and thyroid cancer. The adverse event profle was reversible, manageable, and consistent with ERK inhibition. These findings support the development of ERAS-007 as a monotherapy or in combination in diverse, biomarker-selected tumor types.

ERAS-601: our SHP2 inhibitor

ERAS-601 is a potent, selective oral inhibitor of SHP2, a convergent node for upstream RTK signaling and a critical “on/off switch” that activates GTP-bound RAS signaling. SHP2 also drives tumor cell proliferation and development of resistance. Our SHP2 inhibitor is designed to block oncogenic signal transduction and delay the onset of resistance—thereby potentially serving as a backbone of combination therapy.

Clinical Trials

Erasca is in the process of initiating a number of clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of our therapeutic candidates—as monotherapy and in combination regimens—across a range of tumor types.

As an oncology healthcare professional, should you have a patient who may be interested in participating in such a clinical trial, consult the list below of our clinical trials currently open for enrollment—for eligibility criteria and further details. Your interest and participation is critical to the success of these trials and is instrumental in the development of desperately needed new medicines with the potential to benefit many people with cancer.

Product/Target
ERAS-0015 / RAS
ERAS-4001 / KRAS

Clinical Trial

AURORAS-1
BOREALIS-1 (planned)

Description

During any long seafaring journey, the endless sea can often disorient a person’s sense of time and place. The appearance of the dawn, or aurora, provides a definitive sense of direction and a welcoming signal to herald the new day. Near the magnetic poles, auroras appear as breathtaking natural luminosities known as the aurora borealis. At Erasca, helping patients is our guiding light. With our AURORAS-1 trial and planned BOREALIS-1 trial, we hope that our potent, selective, orally bioavailable pan-RAS molecular glue ERAS-0015 and pan-KRAS inhibitor ERAS-4001 can provide benefit to patients with (K)RASm solid tumors.

Product/Target Naporafenib (ERAS-254) / RAF

Clinical Trial

SEACRAFT-1 (ERAS-254-01) (not presently enrolling) SEACRAFT-2 (ERAS-254-02) (not presently enrolling)

Description

In any nautical journey, seacraft are needed to traverse the vast blue ocean not just in their capacity as seagoing ships, but also for their important second meaning: skill in navigation. Erasca is navigating the “blue ocean” of unmet medical needs using next generation sequencing and other techniques to identify RAS/MAPK pathway-altered tumors that can be treated with naporafenib, a potent, selective, orally bioavailable pan-RAF inhibitor, in combination with other targeted therapies. The SEACRAFT series of trials, beginning with SEACRAFT-1 and SEACRAFT-2, will test whether naporafenib can improve outcomes in patients with pan-RAS Q61X solid tumors, and NRASm melanoma, respectively.

For any questions about our clinical trials, please contact us via email at clinicaltrials@erasca.com.