Noxopharm Limited (ASX:NOX) New Data Confirms Cancer-Fighting Potential of Sofra™ Platform
26 May 2026
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Highlights:
- Novel immune activation approach shown in ex vivo and in vivo experiments
- Builds on breakthrough immune system discovery published in Nature Immunology
- Proprietary TLR8-amplifying oligonucleotide boosted the activity of a clinical-stage small molecule TLR8 agonist more than 200-fold in human skin biopsies
- A TLR8-amplifying oligonucleotide increased TLR8 activity almost 3-fold in an animal model
- Technology protected by a granted US patent
- Immuno-oncology market projected to grow from US$35 billion in 2025 to US$185 billion by 2035
Overview:
Noxopharm Limited, a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing novel immune-modulating therapies, is pleased to announce new data demonstrating how the Sofra™ technology platform will be leveraged to fight cancer.
The field of immuno-oncology — which involves harnessing the body’s own immune system to destroy cancer cells — has reshaped cancer treatment over recent years and helped millions of patients globally. The market is projected to grow from US$35 billion in 2025 to US$185 billion by 2035. However, response rates remain limited and there is an ongoing need for new approaches.
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are crucial sensors within the human immune system. Their activation is a primary area of cancer research, with numerous pharmaceutical companies developing potent anti-cancer agents based on these receptors. Noxopharm is currently advancing a drug development program aimed at harnessing the power of Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8) against cancer.
A novel mechanism with significant amplifying potential
The Company has developed oligonucleotides capable of greatly amplifying the activity of TLR8 compared to current best-in-class drugs in clinical development, which in turn stands to enhance the cancer-fighting activity of standard-of-care therapies like chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This combinatorial approach opens up a new opportunity for more potent, controllable and targeted activation of the immune system against cancer, exploiting a novel mechanism that was uncovered through in-depth studies of TLR8 biology, as recently published in Nature Immunology and a preprint.
In a human skin biopsy model, one proprietary TLR8-amplifying oligonucleotide was able to boost the activity of a clinical-stage small molecule TLR8 agonist more than 200-fold. In a separate transgenic mouse model expressing human TLR8, the same approach increased TLR8-driven immune response almost 3-fold compared to the agonist alone. Noxopharm is currently scaling up to test these novel compounds in humanized TLR8 mice and in various cancer models in the months ahead.
The technology is protected by a granted US patent, placing the Sofra™ platform in a strong position to unlock the clinical potential of TLR8 activation in immuno-oncology and potentially become a competitive new addition to the global cancer treatment market.
Professor Seija Lehnardt, a group leader at the prestigious Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin with extensive expertise in TLR7/8 biology, commented: “The Noxopharm results demonstrate that these short oligonucleotides possess the potential to significantly enhance the therapeutic efficacy of TLR8 sensing, both in vitro and in vivo, and I look forward to seeing how this progresses in the months ahead.”
Noxopharm CEO Dr Olivier Laczka said: “We are very encouraged by these results and the potential of the Sofra platform in the cancer space. Our deep and novel understanding of how innate immune receptors such as TLR8 are naturally regulated provides a unique advantage in targeting them. Our immuno-oncology program is built on a robust foundation of molecular and mechanistic understanding, and is an excellent example of how we translate fundamental biology into new therapeutic opportunities.”
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