Changing the treatment paradigm for somatostatin receptor-positive tumors

Because more patients need more options

Expanding targeted treatment beyond SSTR2

Grafton Therapeutics has created new high-affinity dual SSTR2-SSTR5 agents.
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Large addressable market

of NET tumors are
SSTR5 positive
0 %

Target SSTR2 and SSTR5 simultaneously to increase the range of treatable tumors.

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Gut and pancreatic NET Meningioma Colorectal Cancer Cushing's Disease (pituitary) Acromegaly (pituitary) Prostate Cancer (neuroendocrine) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Pulmonary NET Breast (neuroendocrine) Central Neurocytomas Melanoma (uveal)

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Gut and pancreatic NET Meningioma Colorectal Cancer Cushing's Disease (pituitary) Acromegaly (pituitary) Prostate Cancer (neuroendocrine) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Pulmonary NET Breast (neuroendocrine) Central Neurocytomas Melanoma (uveal)

Gut and pancreatic NET Meningioma Colorectal Cancer Cushing's Disease (pituitary) Acromegaly (pituitary) Prostate Cancer (neuroendocrine) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Pulmonary NET Breast (neuroendocrine) Central Neurocytomas Melanoma (uveal)

Many people with neuroendocrine tumors eventually stop responding to current somatostatin drugs like octreotide or lanreotide, leaving few targeted treatment options.
This is a major unmet need.

Our new medicine candidates are designed to act on two key somatostatin receptors (SSTR2 and SSTR5) at once, aiming to better control hormone-related symptoms and slow tumor growth.

In laboratory models of NETs, our lead drug candidate reduced neuroendocrine tumor cell growth more than today’s standard drugs in several tests.

Our dual SSTR2/SSTR5 agonists deliver potent anti-hormonal and antiproliferative effects in pituitary and pancreatic NET models at low nanomolar doses.

These results are preclinical, but they support moving SMTR-002 into further studies to see if it can offer NET patients a more effective, longer-lasting treatment option that addresses a major unmet need.

Improving 
the standard 
of care in RLT

Tumors and metastases have complex SSTR expression and could vary over time.
Our novel approach expands current therapies possibilities.
Tumors and metastases have complex SSTR expression and could vary over time.
Our novel approach expands current therapies possibilities.

Current therapies

  • SSTR2 only
  • SSTR5 only
  • Mixed (SSTR2 + SSTR5)

Grafton approach

  • SSTR2 only
  • SSTR5 only
  • Mixed (SSTR2 + SSTR5)

Our milestones 
so far...

2021

  • Grafton Therapeutics designs new high-affinity SSTR2/SSTR5 agents
  • Lead compounds have sub-nanomolar affinities at SSTR2 and SSTR5

2022

  • Worldwide IP filed
  • Development of high-affinity SSTR2/SSTR5 radiopharmaceuticals with novel linker elements

2023

  • Potent inhibition of hormonal secretion and proliferation in NET and pituitary tumor models

2024

  • Long-term mechanistic studies in 2D and 3D NET cultures completed
  • Testing of novel alpha and beta radiolabeled conjugates

Meet our team

Alan Harris

MD PhD, Founder & CEO

Adrian F. Daly

MD PhD, Co-Founder

Elcin Zan

MD, Principal Medical Advisor

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