Our programmes
Our approach
We provide access to centralised expertise and operational support to accelerate exceptional academic science into attractive biotech assets.
Our deep and broad expertise ensures that we can identify and develop promising therapeutic candidates efficiently, giving them the attention they deserve. For us, the right molecule, brought into Slingshot at the right time, means groundbreaking treatments, delivered earlier.
When looking for ideas; we seek:
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World-leading scientists -
Targeted disease understanding -
Clear development pathways -
Significant unmet medical need
Building a diverse pipeline of
high-potential programmes
We are always on the lookout for leading programmes that align with our mission to advance scientific discovery, fast-track clinical progress and accelerate access to groundbreaking therapies for patients. If your asset fits this profile, then it could be the next one to join and grow the Slingshot portfolio.
Richard Wooster CSO
Our assets
Apini
SSTX—001
Novel small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory diseases without induction of immune suppression.
Executive summary
- Target: eNAMPT
- Indication: Inflammatory diseases
- Stage: Hit to lead
- Founding scientist: Professor Sam Butterworth, University of Manchester
Programme overview
There remains unmet need in chronic inflammatory diseases. Our mission is to maximise the potential of targeting extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (eNAMPT) as a novel treatment for chronic inflammation. Apini stems from work of Professor Sam Butterworth, University of Manchester, in collaboration with Professor Paul Caton, King’s College London, and exploits proprietary small molecules that modulate eNAMPT.
Target potential
Inhibiting eNAMPT has potential to treat inflammatory diseases without induction of immune suppression. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the potential for selective eNAMPT inhibitors to be applied across multiple chronic inflammatory diseases.
Scientific founder
Professor Sam Butterworth
Founder
Sam has 20 years’ experience in drug discovery and medicinal chemistry projects, including leading compound design and IP strategy, predominantly focusing on oncology, inflammatory and metabolic diseases.
Prior to his current academic career, Sam spent eight years with AstraZeneca where he invented the targeted anti-cancer agent AZD9291, which is now AstraZeneca’s bestselling drug osimertinib/Tagrisso.
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