Epistem is leveraging its discovery platform to identify novel targets and pathways in the area of cancer stem cells. This emerging area of oncology focuses on rare and less-differentiated tumour stem cells that are resistant to cancer therapies.

Cancer stem cells are thought to retain the ability to self-renew, making more identical daughter cells, rather than differentiating into mature cells. Comparing normal to cancerous self-renewal pathways is intended to reveal new targets in oncology and also new pathways to expand the renewal capabilities of normal epithelial tissues.

Epistem intends to advance its candidate therapeutics through the proof-of-concept stage in preclinical development and then to create partnerships for further development with drug companies.

Epistem will also enter into discovery partnerships with drug companies, initially in the area of oncology and cancer stem cells. This partnership is particularly attractive since more than 80% of adult cancers are of epithelial origin.