BST-103

BST-103 is a preclinical small molecule dual inhibitor developed by Blackstone Therapeutics in collaboration with Wayne State University's Karmanos Cancer Institute. It is designed to simultaneously target p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT). PAK4 is a member of the serine/threonine kinase family that is frequently overexpressed in various cancers, where it promotes cell survival, proliferation, and metastasis. NAMPT is the rate-limiting enzyme in the NAD+ salvage pathway, which cancer cells rely on to maintain metabolic homeostasis. By inhibiting both targets, BST-103 aims to induce synergistic anti-tumor effects through the disruption of oncogenic signaling and the depletion of essential metabolic cofactors, specifically targeting the vulnerabilities of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).