Slingshot Therapeutics has launched ALTx Therapeutics with funding worth £12.55 million ($17.04 million) to develop novel treatments for cancer. 

ALTx Therapeutics launched into the Slingshot accelerator with backing from Syncona, the Francis Crick Institute and Cancer Research Horizons. 

Spinning out of the Crick, ALTx is focused on developing therapeutics targeting vulnerabilities in cancers that rely on the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (“ALT”) pathway, a mechanism by which cells in 10 to 15% of all cancers become immortal. ALT activation is cancer specific and presents a unique opportunity to create precision medicines.  

 ALTx is the second spin out to be launched into the Slingshot accelerator, following Apini, a small molecule programme originating from the University of Manchester.  

 ALTx is based on the pioneering research of British scientist Simon Boulton, who is world-renowned for his work in DNA damage repair and telomere maintenance. As scientific founder and CSO, Boulton will continue to lead ALTx’s development. 

“I am delighted that Syncona and Slingshot have given us the opportunity to start an exciting new chapter to develop novel therapeutics targeting ALT cancers,” Boulton, Founder of ALTx Therapeutics, said. 

“This is the culmination of a decade of hard work from my lab and the Science Technology Platform groups within the Crick who have identified and derisked several promising ALT targets, which we aim to progress towards the clinic for the benefit of cancer patients.” 

“Joining Slingshot’s pipeline alongside Apini, ALTx is another example of exceptional science identified for acceleration from the UK’s world-class research base,” added Edward Hodgkin, Executive Chair of Slingshot Therapeutics.  

“The programme is based on pioneering research that has systematically explored, identified and characterised ALT pathway vulnerabilities in cancer. We look forward to working closely with Simon and the Crick to unlock the untapped clinical potential of the ALT pathway.”