Outrun Therapeutics announces its lead programme for HPV positive cancer
Lucy Batizovsky | March 23, 2026 | News story | Research and Development | HPV, Oncology, Outrun Therapeutics
Outrun Therapeutics has selected an E6AP inhibitor strategy as its lead programme for treating HPV positive head and neck cancer.
Identified by Outrun’s proprietary XL discovery platform, E6AP regulates the expression of a key tumour suppressor protein in HPV positive cancers.
By inhibiting this enzyme, the treatment directly stabilises the tumour suppressor protein levels.
Expected to have a global market size exceeding $14bn by 2031, HPV positive cancers account for around 4.5% of cancers worldwide.
Tony Johnson, Board Chair and Interim CEO of Outrun Therapeutics, said: “This is a massively underserved patient population, and we are confident that our novel approach to protein stabilisation offers a breakthrough route to bringing meaningful treatments to those in need.”
E6AP, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, will be supported in its development by the newly formed Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) comprised of experts in E3 ligase biology, and head and neck cancer.
The SAB will provide expertise and critical translational insights during the development of the lead programme.
Those appointed to the SAB are Glenn Hanna, Kevin Harrington, Gigi Lozano, Donald Ogilvie and Martin Scheffner. They join Outrun’s Founder, Non-executive Director and Chair of the SAB, Satpal Virdee.
Virdee said: “Their expertise will be invaluable as we develop the translational strategy, clinical design and biomarker validation to support our goal of establishing efficacy and differentiation in the HPV-induced head and neck cancer field, and transition to a clinical stage company.”
Outrun plans to announce a development candidate later in 2026.
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