Pin Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on targeted protein degradation, has begun dosing in a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating its CK1α-selective degrader, PIN-5018. The first patient enrolled in the study has adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), a rare malignancy with limited treatment options.   

PIN-5018 is an oral CK1α degrader developed based on the novel hypothesis of "synthetic activation of p53." The Phase 1 study, which will evaluate PIN-5018 as both a monotherapy and in multiple combination regimens, employs a dose-escalation design to assess safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and target engagement/pharmacodynamics (PD). The company also plans to expand development into additional indications.   

Pin Therapeutics reported encouraging preclinical results in ACC, a disease with no approved standard-of-care therapy. In two patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, PIN-5018 achieved a complete response (CR) in one model and significant tumour regression in the other, demonstrating robust antitumor activity and supporting clinical translation.   

The company noted that CK1α plays a key biological role in resistance mechanisms that emerge during androgen receptor (AR) inhibitor therapy. Based on this insight, the company is pursuing a strategy aimed at enabling rapid entry into the first-line (1L) setting for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) through combination therapy with an AR signaling inhibitor (ARSI). In colorectal cancer, the company is advancing a clinical programme based on the innovative concept of "synthetic activation of WNT signaling."  

"Our goal is to leverage our innovative degradation modality and novel biological frameworks to provide meaningful therapeutic options for cancer patients with limited or no existing treatments. We look forward to demonstrating the clinical value of PIN-5018 across multiple tumour types,” said Pin Therapeutics CEO Hyunsun Jo.