Drugs derived from the venom of unusual species is hardly a novelty in biotech. There's Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s Gila monster-derived diabetes drug Byetta (exenatide) and investigational drugs GxMTx4, a nontoxic peptide from spider venom from Rose Pharmaceuticals for Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, and Paion AG's recently divested desmoteplase, a plasminogen activator based on the saliva from a vampire bat.

Soricimed Biopharma Inc., a 2005 start-up, is hoping to add the northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda) to the list. The Toronto-based biotech recently started a Phase I trial testing SOR-C13, a targeted peptide based on the shrew's venom, in patients with advanced solid tumors, with a weighting on ovarian cancer.

Work on the compound traces back to Jack Stewart's research lab at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, which in 2000 detected that the active ingredient in shrew saliva was a paralytic – unsurprising, given that the shrew is known for immobilizing insects to be eaten later. Stewart's lab was able to synthesize the mammalian peptide, which initially appeared a promising candidate for pain treatment.

But further screening indicated the compound, called soricidin, could prove efficacious in treating cancer.

Research showed that it targets ion channel transient receptor potential vanilloid family number 6 TRPV6, said Soricimed President and CEO Paul Gunn. "TRPV6 is up-regulated in cancer cells and almost nonexistent in healthy cells.

"It's found in epithelial cancers, so about 80 cancers," he told BioWorld Today. "It's a pretty broad application."

Soricimed was formed around the bi-functional soricidin compound in 2005, initially under the name BioProspecting Inc., though founders opted to change the moniker 2.5 years ago to better reflect the firm's mission.

The current Phase I study is enrolling "all-comers" with advanced cancer. The only restriction is that their tumors have to test positive for TRPV6, Gunn said, adding that Soricimed also is developing a diagnostic blood test for measuring TRPV6.

While not exactly a companion diagnostic, it will be used as part of the study to gain more information on TRPV6 and how it reacts, Gunn said. But that product is "really aimed at earlier detection, particularly in ovarian cancer," which is hard to detect until after it metastasizes.

The Phase I SOR-C13 study is a "pretty classic trial design," he added, and the company will be looking for safety and the presence of the TRVP6 marker. Data are expected in early 2013.

Beyond its lead drug and diagnostic, the company is looking at another application for its peptides as a drug delivery platform. Because the peptides can zero in on tumors expressing TRPV6, it may be possible to link that biologic with a chemotherapeutic agent – similar to antibody-drug conjugate technology – to deliver the toxic payload straight to tumors.

For both its therapeutics and drug delivery approaches, Soricimed plans to look at partnering opportunities. The 10-employee firm operates semi-virtually, Gunn said. "We have our own lab, but we rely a lot on third parties."

To date, the firm has raised C$11 million (US$11.2 million), with most of its fundraising being conducted in Eastern Canada, an area not exactly rife with venture capital firms eager to invest in biotech. "So we actually raised money from private investors and from government assistance," Gunn said.

Going forward, he added, "our growth will be through partnering."