Pasithea Therapeutics Announces PAS-004 Abstract Accepted for Poster Presentation at 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. and MIAMI, April 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pasithea Therapeutics Corp. (NASDAQ: KTTA) (“Pasithea” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing PAS-004, a next-generation macrocyclic MEK inhibitor for the treatment of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and other indications, today announced the acceptance of an abstract for poster presentation at the American Society of Cancer Oncology (“ASCO”), which will be held in Chicago from May 31 – June 4, 2024.

Session titles and information for the abstract are listed below and now available on the ASCO online program planner.

PAS-004: A novel macrocyclic MEK inhibitor to inhibit cancer cell growth in vitro and tumor growth in mouse xenograft studies.

Session Type and Title: Poster Session – Developmental Therapeutics – Molecularly Targeted Agents and Tumor Biology
Session Date and Time: 6/1/2024, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
Abstract Number: 3126
Speaker / lead author: Graeme Currie, PhD

The poster will be available at www.pasithea.com/publications following the presentation.

PAS-004 is the first macrocyclic MEK inhibitor to enter human clinical trials, with an expected extended half-life which may provide better compliance rates, as well as improved efficacy in NF1. Macrocycles are known to exhibit stronger binding, better solubility and longer half-life with more selectivity and less off target effect as compared to acyclic small molecules.

About PAS-004

PAS-004 is a small molecule allosteric inhibitor of MEK 1/2, which are dual-specificity protein kinases, in the MAPK signaling pathway. The MAPK pathway has been implicated in a variety of diseases, as it functions to drive cell proliferation, differentiation, survival and a variety of other cellular functions that, when abnormally activated, are critical for the formation and progression of tumors, fibrosis and other diseases. MEK inhibitors block phosphorylation (activation) of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK). Blocking the phosphorylation of ERK can lead to cell death and inhibition of tumor growth. Existing FDA approved MEK inhibitors are marketed for a range of diseases, including certain cancers and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). We believe these MEK inhibitors suffer from certain limitations, including known toxicities. Unlike current FDA approved MEK inhibitors, PAS-004 is macrocyclic, which we believe may lead to improved pharmacokinetic and safety (tolerability) profiles. Cyclization offers rigidity for stronger binding with drug target receptors. PAS-004 was designed to provide a longer half-life with what we believe is a better therapeutic window. Further, we believe the potency and safety profile that PAS-004 has demonstrated in preclinical studies may also lead to stronger and more durable response rates and efficacy, as well as better dosing schedules. PAS-004 has been tested in a range of mouse models of various diseases and has completed preclinical testing and animal toxicology studies. Additionally, PAS-004 has received orphan-drug designation from the FDA for the treatment of NF1.