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EU funding (€2,499,991): Dencatistat, a first-in-class, tumour-agnostic, orally available CTPS1 inhibitor to treat gynaecologic tumours Hor 1 Jun 2026 EU Research and Innovation programme "Horizon"
Overview
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Dencatistat, a first-in-class, tumour-agnostic, orally available CTPS1 inhibitor to treat gynaecologic tumours
Step Pharma is developing dencatistat (STP938), a first-in-class CTPS1 inhibitor that selectively targets CTPS2-null cancers, where tumour cells rely exclusively on CTPS1 for DNA synthesis. This represents a novel tumour-agnostic precision medicine approach that spares healthy tissue, reduces toxicity, and is suitable for oral administration. The current project focuses on advancing dencatistat in gynaecologic cancers, particularly platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian and endometrial tumours, which remain underserved despite high incidence and poor prognosis. The proposal will deliver a Phase 1b clinical trial in 10 biomarker-selected endometrial cancer patients to establish safety and early efficacy, using a validated CTPS2-loss assay. This trial follows a Phase 1a dose-escalation study already underway in ovarian cancer. If successful, a Phase 2 study will be launched with two cohorts (40 biomarker-positive, 40 biomarker-negative) to validate the predictive power of CTPS2-loss and support broader solid tumour expansion. This biomarker-guided strategy will help identify patients most likely to benefit, ensuring cost-efficient clinical development and better outcomes. The EIC grant (€2.5M) will fund critical Phase 1b activities, including patient recruitment, biomarker screening, and regulatory preparation. The requested equity (€10M) will enable Phase 2 execution across ovarian and endometrial cancers. While €37.7M in Series C1 funding has been secured for the ovarian trials, EIC support is essential to unlock the remaining €25M (Series C2) to include the endometrial trial and avoid critical delays in development. This project will lay the foundation for a European-led gynaecologic oncology franchise, with broader application across CTPS2-null solid tumours.
Funded Companies:
| Company name | Funding amount |
| Step Pharma | €2,499,991 |
Source: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101297026
The filing refers to a past date, and does not necessarily reflect the current state. The latest known state is available on the following page: Step Pharma SAS, Paris, France.