Uppsala, Sweden – September 22, 2026 -- Beactica Therapeutics AB has initiated IND-enabling studies for BEA-17, a first-in-class oral degrader targeting the epigenetic regulators LSD1 and CoREST, moving the glioblastoma therapy toward first-in-human trials.
Beactica targets a cancer with 15-month median survival and no new treatment in over two decades
Glioblastoma remains the most common and aggressive primary brain tumour, with a median overall survival of approximately 15 months. Standard of care has stayed essentially unchanged for more than 20 years, and immunotherapies successful against other cancers have consistently failed against GBM's immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment.
BEA-17 combines with standard of care to produce durable tumour regression in preclinical models
By degrading LSD1 and its scaffolding partner CoREST, BEA-17 enhances antigen presentation, induces viral mimicry, and reprogrammes macrophages toward a pro-inflammatory state. In preclinical glioblastoma models, BEA-17 combined with standard of care substantially improved survival and produced durable tumour regression not seen with standard of care alone. The compound has also potentiated anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade in a preclinical colon cancer model, an effect not observed with catalytic LSD1 inhibitors.
FDA grants Orphan Drug Designation as compound advances into GLP toxicology testing
BEA-17 is orally bioavailable, brain-penetrant, and has received Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. FDA for glioblastoma treatment. The IND-enabling programme includes GLP-compliant repeat-dose toxicology studies in rodent and non-rodent species, safety pharmacology, pharmacokinetic testing, and manufacture of a traceable, fully documented drug substance batch along with a finalised oral clinical trial formulation.
"Initiating IND-enabling studies is a defining milestone for Beactica and for the BEA-17 programme,