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Presentations Highlight Therapeutic Potential of Company’s Clinical and Preclinical Programs and Leadership in Gene Control

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Syros Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SYRS), a biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of medicines to control the expression of disease-driving genes, today announced that the Company will present new data on three of its clinical and preclinical programs at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting taking place April 1-5 in Washington, D.C.

The new data will be highlighted in five presentations:

  • Three on SY-1425, an oral first-in-class selective retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) agonist that is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial in defined subsets of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients with a RARA biomarker;
  • One on SY-1365, a first-in-class selective cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) inhibitor that is on track to begin a Phase 1 trial in the first half of this year in transcriptionally driven solid tumors; and
  • One on its cyclin-dependent kinase 12/13 (CDK12/13) inhibitor program.

“The presentations at AACR showcase both the productivity of Syros’ gene control platform and the potential of our first-in-class programs to provide a meaningful benefit for patients with a range of aggressive cancers both as single agents and in combination with other targeted therapies,” said Nancy Simonian, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Syros. “Our platform is the first focused solely on the regulatory genome to systematically identify and target disease-causing alterations in gene expression with the aim of treating diseases that have eluded other genomic-based approaches. In just three years since our inception, this pioneering approach has led to a robust and growing pipeline, with our lead program in a Phase 2 clinical trial, our second program poised to start clinical development in the first half of this year and multiple other programs in preclinical development. We are excited to be presenting data from multiple programs across all stages of our pipeline.”

Details on the presentations are as follow:

Date & Time: Monday, April 3, from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET
Presentation Title: AML patient clustering by super-enhancers reveals an RARA associated transcription factor signaling partner
Session Category: Molecular and Cellular Biology / Genetics
Session Title: Targeting Aberrant Transcription in Cancer
Presenter: Michael R. McKeown, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Translational Biology, Syros
Abstract Number: 1511
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Halls A-C, Poster Section 20

Date & Time: Monday, April 3, from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET
Presentation Title: SY-1365, a potent and selective CDK7 inhibitor, exhibits promising anti-tumor activity in multiple preclinical models of aggressive solid tumors
Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Session Title: New Targets 1
Presenter: Christian Fritz, Ph.D., Vice President, Biology, Syros
Abstract Number: 1151
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Halls A-C, Poster Section 4

Date & Time: Monday, April 3, from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET
Presentation Title: Targeting the transcriptional kinases CDK12 and CDK13 in breast and ovarian cancer
Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Session Title: New Targets 1
Presenter: Michael Bradley, Ph.D., Principal Scientist, Biochemistry & Biophysics, Syros
Abstract Number: 1143
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Halls A-C, Poster Section 4

Date & Time: Monday, April 3, from 1 - 5 p.m. ET
Presentation Title: SY-1425, a selective RARα agonist, induces high levels of CD38 expression in RARA-high AML tumors creating a susceptibility to anti-CD38 therapeutic antibody treatment
Session Category: Immunology
Session Title: Immune Response to Hematopoietic Tumors: New Development in Tumor Immunology
Presenter: Kathryn Austgen, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Immuno-Oncology, Syros
Abstract Number: 2644
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Halls A-C, Poster Section 26

Date & Time: Tuesday, April 4, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
Presentation Title: SY-1425 (tamibarotene), a selective RARα agonist, shows synergistic anti-tumor activity with hypomethylating agents in a biomarker selected subset of AML
Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Session Title: Differentiation Therapy
Presenter: Michael R. McKeown, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Translational Biology, Syros
Abstract Number: 3085
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Halls A-C, Poster Section 3

About Syros Pharmaceuticals
Syros Pharmaceuticals is pioneering the understanding of the non-coding region of the genome to advance a new wave of medicines that control expression of disease-driving genes. Syros has built a proprietary platform that is designed to systematically and efficiently analyze this unexploited region of DNA in human disease tissue to identify and drug novel targets linked to genomically defined patient populations. Because gene expression is fundamental to the function of all cells, Syros’ gene control platform has broad potential to create medicines that achieve profound and durable benefit across a range of diseases. Syros is currently focused on cancer and immune-mediated diseases and is advancing a growing pipeline of gene control medicines. Syros’ lead drug candidates are SY-1425, a selective RARα agonist in a Phase 2 clinical trial for genomically defined subsets of patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome, and SY-1365, a selective CDK7 inhibitor with potential in a range of solid tumors and blood cancers. Led by a team with deep experience in drug discovery, development and commercialization, Syros is located in Cambridge, Mass.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation statements regarding the clinical progress of and potential benefits from treatment with SY-1425, the initiation of clinical development of SY-1365, the ability to advance preclinical programs, and the benefits of Syros’ gene control platform. The words ‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘continue,’’ ‘‘could,’’ ‘‘estimate,’’ ‘‘expect,’’ ‘‘intend,’’ ‘‘may,’’ ‘‘plan,’’ ‘‘potential,’’ ‘‘predict,’’ ‘‘project,’’ ‘‘target,’’ ‘‘should,’’ ‘‘would,’’ and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: Syros’ ability to: advance the development of its programs, including SY-1425 and SY-1365, under the timelines it projects ; obtain and maintain patent protection for its drug candidates and the freedom to operate under third party intellectual property; demonstrate in any current and future clinical trials the requisite safety, efficacy and combinability of its drug candidates; replicate scientific and non-clinical data in clinical trials; successfully develop a companion diagnostic test to identify patients with biomarkers associated with the RARA super-enhancer; obtain and maintain necessary regulatory approvals; identify, enter into and maintain collaboration agreements with third parties; manage competition; manage expenses; raise the substantial additional capital needed to achieve its business objectives; attract and retain qualified personnel; and successfully execute on its business strategies; risks described under the caption “Risk Factors” in the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and risks described in other filings that the company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the future. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Syros expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.

Media Contact:
Syros Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Naomi Aoki, 617-283-4298
naoki@syros.com
or
Investor Contact:
Stern Investor Relations, Inc.
Hannah Deresiewicz, 212-362-1200
hannahd@sternir.com

Source: Syros Pharmaceuticals

Released March 1, 2017