On February 4, 2026 Biodexa Pharmaceuticals PLC (Nasdaq: BDRX), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of innovative products for the treatment of rare diseases with unmet medical needs, reported the closing of an exclusive license with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (Otsuka) for OPB-171775. a novel molecular glue intended to be developed for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST). The compound also has the potential to be useful in additional indications. In Biodexa’s pipeline, OPB-171775 is to be coded MTX240.
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
Stephen Stamp, Chief Executive Officer of Biodexa commented "MTX240 represents a fantastic opportunity for Biodexa. Its unique molecular glue mechanism of action separates MTX240 from current standard of care with the potential to benefit a broad spectrum of GIST patients, including those with TKI-resistant disease. MTX240 strategically aligns with our emerging GI/oncology pipeline which includes our ongoing Phase 3 development of eRapa in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis."
About MTX240, its Unique Mechanism of Action and Clinical Rationale
Molecular glue technology represents a novel approach that induces targeted protein interactions, offering a distinct mechanism of action to conventional kinase inhibitors for rare oncology indications.
GIST is driven by activating mutations in the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase. While tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as imatinib, sunitinib, and regorafenib are reported to have significantly improved outcomes for GIST patients, resistance almost always develops through secondary KIT mutations or activation of alternative signalling pathways. This represents a substantial clinical challenge with limited therapeutic options for patients once they have cycled through the available TKIs.
MTX240 acts as a molecular glue, bringing two intracellular proteins, PDE3a and SLFN12, specifically co-expressed by GIST cancer cells, into close proximity to form a stable complex. This interaction stabilizes SLFN12, enabling it to drive RNase-mediated apoptosis in GIST cells through a mechanism independent of KIT signalling. By triggering cell death through this alternative pathway, MTX240 is designed to overcome the resistance mechanisms that render TKI-resistant GISTs refractory to conventional kinase inhibitors. This novel mechanism may provide clinical benefit for a significant proportion of GIST patients, not only those who have developed resistance to TKIs.
MTX240, referenced as OPB-171775 in the charts, and vehicle were administered once daily for 21 days. Imatinib was administered twice daily for 21 days. The values represent mean tumor volumes +/- standard error of the mean GS5107 (n=3), GS5108 (n=5), GS11353 (n=5).
PDX models use actual tumor tissue harvested from patients, preserving the genetic complexity and treatment resistance patterns of real human cancers. This makes PDX studies far more predictive of human clinical outcomes because they bridge the gap between laboratory discovery and clinical trials5.
Addressing Unmet Medical Need in GIST
GIST is a rare gastrointestinal malignancy affecting approximately 3,000-4,000 patients annually in the United States2, with a significant unmet medical need for patients who develop TKI resistance. Approximately 10-15%3. of GIST patients are either primarily refractory, or develop secondary resistance, to available TKIs, and options for these patients remain limited. MTX240’s novel mechanism represents a potentially differentiated therapeutic approach that circumvents conventional resistance pathways and aligns with Biodexa’s strategic focus on rare disease development and addressing important clinical gaps.
The global GIST market is valued at approximately USD 1.3 billion and is expected to grow at 6-10% annually through 2032, driven by rising incidence and emerging therapeutic options targeting treatment-resistant disease4.
GIST qualifies for orphan drug designation in major regulatory jurisdictions, offering potential regulatory advantages and incentives to support drug development.
Licensing and Collaboration Agreement
Under the terms of the license agreement Biodexa has the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize MTX240 globally with the exception of Japan where Otsuka retains its rights. The agreement includes an upfront fee and additional development and regulatory milestones. In addition, tiered royalties in the mid-single digit range are payable on net sales of MTX240.
MTX240 benefits from composition of matter patents in the US, Europe, Japan and various other countries extending through 2037 without any patent term extension.
(Press release, Biodexa Pharmaceuticals, FEB 4, 2026, View Source [SID1234662471])