Vivace Therapeutics has discovered, and is now developing, multiple novel small-molecule medicines targeting the Hippo-YAP pathway, which has shown to be involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, programmed cell death and cell migration. The effector of the pathway is the YAP – TEAD transcription complex.

In healthy conditions, this pathway controls tissue regeneration and the size and shape of organs. However, mutations of the Hippo – YAP pathway can be oncogenic and be the dominant driver for several forms of cancer including mesothelioma, meningioma, and schwannoma. Additionally, dysfunction of the Hippo – YAP pathway contributes to a wide range of cancers including lung, gastric, colon, cervical, ovarian, breast, melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. YAP hyperactivity is also linked to resistance to targeted therapies, cancer relapse and worse outcomes for patients.

With an industry-leading understanding of the Hippo – YAP pathway’s complex biology, Vivace is bringing forth a new generation of cancer therapeutics in the form of YAP-TEAD transcription activity inhibitors.