Cyteir Therapeutics is a clinical-stage oncology company developing next-generation synthetic lethal therapies that target DNA damage response pathways. Its lead program is CYT-0851, an oral once-daily first-in-class small-molecule inhibitor of RAD51-mediated DNA repair, currently in the dose-escalation portion of a Phase 1/2 monotherapy trial enrolling approximately 200 patients with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Preclinical and early clinical data support CYT-0851’s potential to selectively target B-cell malignancies such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma and various solid tumors, and to combine with therapies that induce DNA damage, including PARP inhibitors and chemotherapy. The company plans to advance CYT-0851 into phase 2 monotherapy trials, initiate combination studies, and pursue IND-enabling studies for a second-generation RAD51 inhibitor (CYT-1853) and an additional undisclosed compound targeted to solid tumors. Cyteir is also developing a companion diagnostic to identify tumors that overexpress certain cytidine deaminases and has received an FDA investigational device exemption to begin evaluating that assay in patients. Financially, the company closed an $80 million Series C and has now raised over $140 million to support its pipeline and R&D. Cyteir Therapeutics focuses on discovery and development of next-generation synthetic lethal therapies that exploit DNA repair pathways to selectively kill cancer cells. Its lead compound is CYT-0851, a RAD51 inhibitor, discovered using the company’s gain-of-function synthetic lethality screening platform. The company plans to use new funding to expand the clinical investigation of CYT-0851 and to identify additional targets through its screening technology. Cyteir describes itself as an innovator in DNA repair, pursuing therapies that pair DNA-damaging gene gain-of-function with DNA repair inhibition. Markus Renschler, M.D., serves as president and CEO. Financially, the company recently closed an additional tranche of Series B financing to advance its programs. Cyteir focuses on discovering and developing small-molecule therapeutics that exploit DNA repair biology and synthetic lethality. Its lead program targets selective inhibitors of the protein RAD51 for oncology applications. The company is also advancing preclinical programs aimed at synthetic lethality approaches for autoimmune diseases. Cyteir says its AID gain-of-function targeting strategy may offer broader applicability, reduced side effects, and simpler companion diagnostics for patient selection. Leadership includes newly appointed president and CEO Markus Renschler, M.D., and co-founder and CSO Kevin Mills, Ph.D. The company is based in Cambridge, Mass. Cyteir Therapeutics develops therapeutics that modulate DNA repair proteins, focusing on RAD51 modulation in AID-positive cells to induce selective cancer cell death. The company is advancing a novel RAD51 modulator as its lead program and is exploring applications in cancer and autoimmune diseases. Cyteir received a $2M, two-year Phase II STTR grant from the National Cancer Institute (NIH) to support continued preclinical development. Under the STTR, Cyteir will partner with The Jackson Laboratory for in vivo testing and Eastern Maine Medical Center to obtain human tissue samples. The Phase II grant aims to move lead candidates to the IND-enabling stage by completing pre-GLP pharmacology and toxicology studies and demonstrating efficacy and durability in preclinical models. A Phase I STTR awarded in 2014 supported feasibility work that identified the company’s lead RAD51-targeting compounds; the company is led by President and CEO Donald F. Corcoran and co-founder/CSO Dr. Kevin Mills. Cyteir Therapeutics is a research-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on exploiting DNA repair and genomic instability to develop targeted therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company advanced discoveries from JAX Associate Professor Kevin Mills and holds an exclusive license to key technologies and patents from The Jackson Laboratory. Cyteir will use proceeds from its Series A to accelerate its lead program, enhance and diversify its screening platform, and build its drug pipeline. Leadership was strengthened with the appointment of Donald F. Corcoran as President and CEO, who joined the board. The company was founded by Kevin Mills together with Tim Romberger and JAX Chairman Emeritus David Shaw and is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. No operating metrics or revenue figures were disclosed in the article.

Total raised

$157M

Funding rounds

5

Latest round

Series C

Latest activity

Feb 2021