Targeting Cancer Survival Genes in Solid Tumors

In this episode of The Bio Report, host Daniel Levine interviews Robert Schickel, CEO of Nuago Therapeutics, about the company's novel approach to targeting cancer survival genes in solid tumors using a cancer-agnostic RNA platform. The core innovation lies in 'Death Induced by Survival Gene Elimination' (DICE), a mechanism that simultaneously silences multiple survival genes in cancer cells, triggering a cascade of 22 molecularly driven cell death pathways. Unlike traditional targeted therapies that often fail due to resistance, Nuago's short RNAs exploit fundamental biological differences: cancer cells have globally downregulated microRNAs, making them uniquely vulnerable to the therapy, while healthy cells remain protected due to high microRNA expression. This results in an exceptionally wide therapeutic window—up to two orders of magnitude—minimizing toxicity. The discussion covers the company’s lead candidates, NU003 for liver cancer and NU002 for prostate cancer, with NU001 (ovarian cancer) serving as a foundational asset. Schickel emphasizes the platform's potential to overcome resistance, its applicability across diverse tumor types regardless of patient ethnicity, and the strategic use of established delivery methods to de-risk development. The episode concludes with insights into Nuago’s funding strategy, which includes grants and ultra-high-net-worth investors, and a vision for broad oncology impact, including potential applications in liquid tumors. Key takeaways include: DICE leverages conserved eukaryotic biology to target cancer cells selectively; the platform’s multi-targeted approach makes resistance extremely unlikely; delivery is the primary technical hurdle, but Nuago is using clinically validated modalities; the company prioritizes indications with high unmet need and existing delivery infrastructure; and the therapeutic window is so wide that even high doses in healthy cells only cause death in artificial, non-physiological conditions. The overall tone is highly optimistic, grounded in robust preclinical data and a compelling mechanistic rationale.