Australian Biotech Firm Partners with US University to Unravel Cancer Drug Mechanism
An Australian-based oncology company, Racura Oncology, has forged a significant research collaboration with Purdue University in the United States. This preclinical program is set to delve into the intricate molecular mechanisms by which their promising drug candidate, (E,E)-bisantrene, targets and inhibits the MYC gene, a critical driver of numerous cancers.
The MYC oncogene is a central regulator of cell growth and proliferation, and its hyperactivity is implicated in as many as 70% of all cancer types. For decades, effectively targeting MYC with small-molecule drugs has presented a considerable challenge for the medical community. However, a novel approach involves stabilising a specific DNA structure associated with MYC, known as the MYC G-quadruplex (MYC-G4). By stabilising this structure, researchers aim to reduce MYC gene activity and its associated cancer-promoting signals, achieving a therapeutic effect similar to directly inhibiting the MYC protein itself.
In a notable scientific development last year, research conducted by Racura and its collaborators demonstrated that (E,E)-bisantrene, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Racura’s lead drug candidate RC220, possesses the ability to switch off MYC in cancer cells. Early investigations at Purdue University have now provided further compelling evidence, confirming that (E,E)-bisantrene directly binds to the MYC-G4 DNA structure, forming a specific 2:1 complex of the drug to the MYC-G4.
1H Nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) titration of (E,E)-bisantrene with MYC-G4. Source: Racura Oncology
Leading Expert to Spearhead Purdue’s Research Efforts
The collaborative program at Purdue University will be under the expert guidance of Professor Danzhou Yang, a globally recognised authority in G-quadruplex structural biology, with a particular focus on the MYC-G4 structure. Professor Yang’s esteemed research team has consistently employed cutting-edge structural and biophysical methodologies to scrutinise the high-resolution interactions between small molecules and G4 DNA. Notably, her group was the first to elucidate the X-ray crystal structure of the MYC-G4/nucleolin complex, a landmark finding published in the prestigious journal Science in 2025.
This strategic partnership is designed to achieve several key objectives:
- Investigate Binding Dynamics: To meticulously study the precise manner in which (E,E)-bisantrene binds to the MYC G4 DNA and subsequently influences the regulatory proteins that control MYC transcription.
- Uncover Silencing Mechanisms: To conduct in-depth investigations into the detailed molecular interactions that ultimately lead to the silencing of the MYC gene.
- High-Resolution Structural Characterisation: To perform advanced structural studies utilising high-resolution techniques to comprehensively characterise the binding of (E,E)-bisantrene to the MYC G4 structure.
Advancing Therapeutic Development Through Enhanced Capabilities
The collaboration grants Racura invaluable access to Purdue University’s state-of-the-art high-resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and X-ray crystallography facilities. These sophisticated capabilities are crucial for uncovering the exact biochemical and structural pathways through which (E,E)-bisantrene exerts its therapeutic effect.
Racura anticipates that the initial findings from this collaborative research program will be available within the next 24 months. The company expects these results to be published in a high-impact scientific journal, further validating their research and potentially attracting interest from pharmaceutical partners. The data generated will also be shared with potential collaborators, offering independent verification of the studies conducted by Racura’s internal scientific teams.
Expanding the Understanding of (E,E)-bisantrene’s Anti-Cancer Action
Professor Michael Kelso, Racura’s Vice President of Research, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. “Racura is absolutely thrilled to be working alongside Professor Yang and her exceptional team at Purdue,” he stated. “Together, we are poised to generate crucial data that will significantly expand our understanding of (E,E)-bisantrene’s anti-cancer efficacy, specifically through its ability to silence MYC.”
Professor Yang echoed this sentiment, highlighting her own excitement for the project. “By illuminating the structural and mechanistic insights into how (E,E)-bisantrene engages with the MYC G-quadruplex to regulate MYC expression, my team and I are hopeful that we can produce high-impact findings,” she commented. “These discoveries have the potential to advance both the fundamental scientific understanding and the therapeutic development of this highly promising anti-cancer agent.”
This collaboration represents a significant step forward in the development of novel cancer therapies, leveraging the combined expertise of academic research and industry innovation to tackle one of the most challenging oncogenes in cancer.
