Verastem Enters Research Collaboration with Eisai for Small Molecule Wnt Inhibitors

Verastem, Inc.,

announced a research collaboration with Eisai for the next-generation of small molecule Wnt inhibitors. Verastem scientific co-founder and chair of the Scientific Advisory Board, Robert Weinberg, Ph.D., published a report in 2011 in the journal Cell describing the critical nature of the Wnt pathway in the development and maintenance of cancer stem cells. “Verastem and Eisai have a shared vision for the utility of Wnt inhibitors in the treatment of cancer,” said Jonathan Pachter, Ph.D., Verastem Vice President and Head of Research. “Our Wnt inhibitor, VS-507, shows activity in multiple cancer stem cell models both in vitro and in human tumor xenografts. Through this collaboration with Eisai, a world leader in complex natural product chemistry, we can jointly leverage our unique capabilities to develop the next-generation of Wnt inhibitors for the targeted killing of cancer stem cells.”