Pathios Therapeutics, a cancer and autoimmune–focused biotech has appointed Dr Tobias Bopp, as the foundational member of its Scientific Advisory Board.
Leading academic and pioneer in the study of the influence of acidosis on tumour immunology, Bopp is the Professor of Molecular Immunology and Director of the Institute of Immunology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. His work across several areas of immunology and cancer immunotherapy has led to over 150 peer-reviewed publications.
Bopp has received numerous awards and honours, is spokesperson of the Research Center of Immunotherapy, Mainz and a member of the advisory board of the Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) and the University Cancer Center (UCT), Mainz, and a Faculty Member of the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK).
Recent seminal work from Bopp’s laboratory, published in Nature Immunology, demonstrated that the acidic microenvironment that is typical of many aggressive tumours signals to local innate immune cells called tumour-associated macrophages to bias their characteristics toward an immunosuppressive, tumour-permissive phenotype. This signalling occurs through activation of the pH-sensing G protein-coupled receptor, GPR65, on the surface of these cells.
Pathios’ comprehensive and fully integrated drug discovery programme is aimed at the discovery and development of small molecule modulators of GPR65 for benefit in both cancer and autoimmune diseases. Pathios believes that Bopp will provide invaluable insights to help accelerate these programmes.
Stuart Hughes, CEO of Pathios, said: "[Bopp’s] track record and credentials in the field of tumour immunology are exemplary. In particular, his ground-breaking work demonstrating how the acidic tumour microenvironment impacts local immune cells has laid the foundation for a potentially whole new class of cancer immunotherapy agents that target GPR65 signalling. We believe that Dr Bopp will be a vital part of ensuring that Pathios’ drug discovery efforts deliver on their therapeutic promise, bringing to bear a wealth of knowledge around both the preclinical and clinical aspects of GPR65."
Tom McCarthy, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder, added: "We have long been aware of and admired Dr Bopp’s important work relating tumour acidity to immune cell function in cancer and are thrilled that he has agreed to join Pathios as a key scientific strategic advisor. We anticipate that he will have a key role to play in guiding and influencing many of our important R&D decisions."
Commenting on his appointment, Bopp said: "I’m very much looking forward to working with the Pathios team and helping them as they progress their drug discovery efforts around GPR65. The company is making excellent progress toward generating a drug that targets this important receptor and has laid an excellent foundation for translating basic science into a therapy that may ultimately benefit many people suffering from cancer."
