STING agonists, short for Stimulator of Interferon Genes agonists, are a class of promising immunomodulatory agents that have gained considerable attention in the field of medical research. These molecules target the STING receptor, which plays a vital role in the innate immune response by sensing cytosolic DNA and initiating type I interferon production. STING, or Stimulator of Interferon Genes, is a key component of the cGAS-STING pathway, serving as a crucial link between cytoplasmic DNA sensing and immune activation. When activated, STING triggers a cascade of events that lead to the production of cytokines and chemokines, enhancing the body's immune response against pathogens and cancerous cells. Upon binding to STING receptors, STING agonists induce a conformational change that leads to the recruitment of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) and the activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). This results in the production of type I interferons and other pro-inflammatory cytokines, fostering an enhanced immune response. STING agonists show promising therapeutic potential in various diseases, including cancer, viral infections, autoimmune disorders, and vaccination strategies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with approximately 9.6 million deaths in 2018, for which STING agonists offer a new avenue for treatment. Extensive research is being conducted globally to discover new and novel molecules to be used for the treatment of many indications. The development and launch of new products will thus increase the market's revenue in the forecasted years.
Several of these inhibitors are on the market, while many are in ongoing clinical trials. Various companies have various products in their pipelines, with 14 products in different stages of clinical trials – 4 in Phase 2 and 14 in Phase 1.
Drugs in the Pipeline of STING agonists
- ADU-S100
- IMSA101
- A296
- E7766
- GSK3745417
- TAK-676
- ulevostinag (MK-1454)
- BI 1387446
- BI 1703880
- BMS-986301
- HG381
- MK-2118
- SB 11285
- SNX281
- SYNB1891
- TAK-500
- XMT-2056
- ExoSTING
Clinical Activity and Developments of STING Agonists
As of July 2023, 14 companies have approximately 14 products for various diseases. For these diseases, 18 trials are being conducted by players globally. For instance,
- ImmuneSensor Therapeutics Inc. is conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial comparing the safety and efficacy of PULSAR-Integrated Radiotherapy + Pembrolizumab or Nivolumab administered with or without STING-Agonist IMSA101 in patients with Oligoprogressive Solid Tumor Malignancies that is expected to complete by February 2026.
- ImmuneSensor Therapeutics Inc. is conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial comparing the safety and efficacy of PULSAR-Integrated Radiotherapy + Pembrolizumab or Nivolumab administered with or without STING-Agonist IMSA101 in patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Renal Cell Cancer that is expected to complete by February 2026.
- In December 2022, Codiak BioSciences completed a Phase 1/2 clinical study of CDK-002 (exoSTING) in subjects with Advanced/Metastatic, Recurrent, Injectable Solid Tumors, with emphasis on Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the head and neck, Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma, and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
|
Molecule name |
Number of studies |
|
ADU-S100 |
3 |
|
IMSA101 |
3 |
|
A296 |
2 |
|
E7766 |
2 |
|
GSK3745417 |
2 |
Target Indication Analysis of STING Agonists
STING agonists have emerged as a versatile class of immunomodulatory agents with numerous indications in medical research. Among the various applications, they find the most significant use in cancer immunotherapy. These agonists have shown remarkable potential in enhancing the body's immune response against cancerous cells, making them valuable candidates for various cancer types, including Acute Myeloid leukemia (AML), Solid Tumors, melanoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. Moreover, STING agonists have also demonstrated effectiveness in combating viral infections, such as influenza and herpes, by promoting antiviral immune responses. Additionally, their use extends to autoimmune disorders like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, where they modulate the immune system to reduce inflammatory responses. Furthermore, STING agonists play a crucial role in improving vaccination strategies, boosting the immune response to vaccines and thus enhancing their efficacy. As research advances, it is likely that more applications for STING agonists will emerge, further expanding their utility in various medical fields.
STING Agonists Regional Analysis
STING Agonists Market
According to a 2020 research paper, the global prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis is around 1%, but in Europe, it varies by geography and latitude. Countries such as Sweden and Germany had prevalence rates of 0.65%, while those in France and Italy were lower than the global estimates of 0.19% and 0.41%, respectively. Several factors, such as gender and environmental factors, also contribute to variability in the prevalence rates. The prevalence and the incidence of AML have been increasing globally for many years affecting many adults. According to the American Cancer Society 2022 report, it is estimated that in 2023 in the USA, about 59,610 new leukemia cases will be diagnosed, from which about 20,380 cases will be of cute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). AML is a rare disease that accounts for about 1% of all cancers.
Latin America
Europe
Asia Pacific
Middle East
North America
Frequently Asked Questions
Currently, no STING Agonist has been approved by the FDA as a Fusion Inhibitor.
These are evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of cancers like Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Non-small Cell Lung Cancer, Breast cancer, Colorectal Cancer, and others
Chinook Therapeutics, ImmuneSensor Therapeutics, Sichuan Kelun Pharma, Eisai Inc, and GSK plc are some of the major market players for STING agonists.
Rising incidence of diseases, improvement in technologies, development of new treatment lines in the market, and rising incidence of various types of cancers like AML, NSCLC, and others are the key opportunities for STING agonists in the market.
Key Features of the Reports
- The report provides granular level information about the market size, regional market share, historic market (2019-2023), and forecast (2024-2030)
- The report covers in-detail insights about the competitor’s overview, company share analysis, key market developments, and their key strategies
- The report outlines drivers, restraints, unmet needs, and trends that are currently affecting the market
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- The report provides a plethora of information about market entry strategies, regulatory framework, and reimbursement scenario
- Chinook Therapeuttics
- ImmuneSensor Therapeutics
- Sichuan Kelun Pharma
- Eisai Inc
- GSK
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- BMS
- HitGen Inc
- Merck (MSD)
- Sino Biopharmaceuticals
- Stingthera Inc
- Synlogic Inc
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals
- Mersana Therapeutics Inc
- Codiak BioSciences