About

linkedin.com/in/harvey-homan

MetasTx, LLC (https://metastx.com) is building a platform to prevent cancer (Ca) cell metastases from solid tumors including prostate, breast and skin cancer. The platform consists of early detection and subsequent blockade of progression of cancer cells from Stages 1-3 (in or near to the original tumor site, such as the prostate gland) to Stage 4 (cells spreading to distant sites, such as the brain or bone – known as metastasis). The core of the platform is the development of a novel drug intended to inhibit critical cellular and biochemical processes in the cancer cells that trigger metastasis. The drug development program is accompanied by a biomarker detection program whose goal is the establishment of a diagnostic enabling early-stage detection of the relevant biomarkers and timely therapeutic intervention. The initial target clinical population is the 3 million US men with prostate cancer (PCa); 2 million of whom are on Active Surveillance.  This is a potential $11.5B drug market.

The MetasTx drug development program is focused on novel molecules that were designed and synthesized in the laboratory of Dr. David Crich, PhD.  Patent applications have been filed by the University of Georgia Research Foundation from whom MetasTx plans to license the IP for these molecules.  The two best compounds are being tested and analyzed through a cascade of biochemical and cellular assays for efficacy and safety, under the direction of MetasTx, with plans in place for studies that will support a New Drug Application and likely progression to the First-In-Human (Phase 1/2a) clinical study by late 2027/early 2028.  Generative AI will be employed to discover improved next generation compounds.  

Prostate Concurrently, work also is planned to identify the relevant signature biomarkers, and the development of methods for their early detection for diagnostic purposes.  This proof of principle project for EMT Signature Markers, has been awarded funding from the National Cancer Institute and is expected to be completed by Q2 2026.  This will lead to development of a Companion Diagnostic that will be used to identify patients with PCa who are likely to need aggressive treatment to prevent metastasis.  This will streamline enrollment into clinical trials, which will reduce costs and significantly speed up bringing our new drugs to FDA for approval.