Rewriting the fate of advanced cancers

EpiAxis is developing next-generation LSD1 inhibitors to keep existing treatments working for patients with aggressive prostate and small cell lung cancer.

See the science Contact us

Abstract visualisation of molecular structures

Our mission

Driven by science. Inspired by patients.

Our mission is to change the course of advanced cancers by targeting the epigenetic regulator LSD1, and to bring new hope to patients facing aggressive solid tumours.

We focus on high-quality translational science, strategic collaborations and a clear clinical pathway.

Our approach

Unlocking the power of LSD1 through peptides

Cancers adapt to survive treatment. In advanced prostate and small cell lung cancer, tumour cells can change what kind of cell they appear to be, shutting down the machinery a drug was designed to act on and continuing to grow. It is one of the main reasons therapies that work at first stop working over time.

Our molecules block LSD1, an enzyme tumour cells use to alter which of their genes are switched on.

01
LSD1 drives resistance
LSD1 is implicated across multiple tumour types, helping cancers change identity and escape the therapies designed to stop them.
02
But blood needs it too
Healthy platelet development depends on LSD1. Earlier inhibitors repeatedly hit platelet toxicity as their dose-limiting side effect.
03
Our answer
Reversible peptide inhibitors built to block LSD1 in tumours while sparing the platelet-forming cells of the bone marrow.

Our science

Unlocking the power of existing therapies through LSD1 inhibition

EpiAxis is developing reversible, non-natural peptide inhibitors of LSD1, a chromatin-modifying enzyme recruited by transcription factors that drive treatment resistance and immune evasion.

With LSD1 active, therapy pressure rewrites tumour cell identity; with LSD1 inhibited, identity is maintained and the therapy keeps working. — LSD1 in cancer
Under therapy pressure, LSD1 lets tumour cells rewrite their identity, so drug targets are lost. Blocking LSD1 keeps the targets in place, and the therapy keeps working.

Megakaryocytes need LSD1 to mature; inhibiting LSD1 stalls maturation and reduces platelet numbers. — LSD1 in megakaryocytes
Megakaryocytes, the platelet-forming cells of the bone marrow, need LSD1 to mature. This on-target platelet toxicity has repeatedly been the dose-limiting toxicity for earlier small-molecule LSD1 inhibitors.

Our results

Preclinical signal in prostate cancer

In a preclinical prostate cancer model, our lead peptide slowed tumour growth more than two clinical-stage LSD1 inhibitors, and none of our peptides lowered platelet counts. Additional efficacy and PK/PD studies are underway to finalise candidate selection.

47%

smaller tumours with Linear Lead A at day 28, versus vehicle

3/3

lead peptides kept platelet counts at or above vehicle

clinical-stage comparators that cut platelets by more than half

Pathway

From lead peptide to first patients

Now
Lead optimisation
Efficacy and PK/PD studies to select the development candidate.
Next
Candidate nominated
One development candidate and a lead cancer indication.
Then
IND/CTA-enabling
Manufacturing, GLP toxicology and the regulatory package.
Goal
First in human
Phase 1 dose escalation in patients.

Team

Re-energised under new leadership to deliver on LSD1's therapeutic promise

Founded in 2015 to advance epigenetic approaches to cancer, EpiAxis was recapitalised under new leadership in 2025. All of the chemistry and data behind the current programme has been generated since.

We are working toward a single development candidate, guided by a board and advisors who have taken medicines through development before.