Advanced BioDesign

Lyon, France – October 1^st, 2025 –  – Advanced BioDesign, a biotechnology company pioneering innovative cancer therapies through the inhibition of the aldehyde dehydrogenase, today announced the publication of a landmark study in Cell Chemical Biology presenting ABD-0171, its second-generation inhibitor targeting ALDH1A3, a key enzyme implicated in cancer stemness and therapeutic resistance. The study demonstrates the drug’s potent and selective activity against aggressive breast cancers, particularly basal-like and triple-negative subtypes, which currently lack effective targeted treatments.

This breakthrough was made possible through strategic collaborations with leading academic partners, including the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Spain), and the Department of Cancer Research, Tumor Immunotherapy and Microenvironment (TIME) Group, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH). These partnerships brought together complementary expertise in cancer biology, immunology, and molecular pharmacology, reinforcing the translational impact of the study

The research, titled “Inter- and intra-tumoral ALDH1 heterogeneity in breast cancer identifies therapeutic opportunities for isoform-specific inhibitors”, reveals that ALDH1A3 is highly expressed in basal-like tumors and correlates with poor prognosis, making it a compelling therapeutic target. ABD-0171, an irreversible and selective ALDH1A3 inhibitor with additional ALDH1A1 activity, showed robust antitumor and antimetastatic effects in preclinical models, while maintaining a favorable safety profile.

Mileidys Perez-Alea, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Advanced BioDesign, stated:

“Our study provides the first comprehensive map of ALDH1 isoform heterogeneity in breast cancer and demonstrates the therapeutic potential of isoform-specific inhibition. These results were achieved thanks to the outstanding contributions of our collaborators from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the Institute of Health Luxembourg, whose expertise in enzymology and tumor biology was instrumental in validating ABD-0171’s mechanism of action, enabling sustained target engagement and potent antitumor activity. We are excited to advance this compound toward clinical evaluation.”

Key Findings

• ALDH1A3 is associated with aggressive breast cancer biology and poor patient outcomes.
• ABD-0171 demonstrated strong efficacy in vitro and in vivo, disrupting key oncogenic pathways such as IL6/JAK/STAT3 and Src/FAK.
• Superior tolerability and immunomodulatory potential compared to first-generation inhibitors, with evidence of enhanced CD8⁺ T-cell infiltration in tumors.
• Favorable safety profile in preclinical toxicity studies, supporting advancement toward clinical development.

Ismail Ceylan, CEO of Advanced BioDesign, added:

“This publication marks a major milestone for Advanced BioDesign and for patients facing aggressive, treatment-resistant cancers. ABD-0171 represents a new class of targeted therapies designed to overcome resistance mechanisms by selectively inhibiting ALDH1 isoforms. Our international collaborations were key to achieving not only validate ALDH1A3 as a therapeutic target but also position ABD-0171 as a promising candidate for future clinical trials in solid tumors, starting with breast cancer.”

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About Advanced BioDesign  

Advanced BioDesign is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing innovative therapies targeting metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer. The company’s proprietary platform focuses on aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) inhibition to overcome resistance and eradicate cancer stem cells.. Its first drug candidate, ABD-3001, a first-in-class « suicide » inhibitor of class 1 aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH1) ius being developed for the treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). In January 2022, Advanced BioDesign obtained authorization from the French Agence Nationale de Sécurité du Médicament (ANSM) to launch its first human clinical trial, ODYSSEY, which began in November 2022. Based in Lyon, Advanced BioDesign is supported and accompanied by Xerys Invest funds, which have been financing its research and development programs since 2013.

For more information: https://www.a-biodesign.com; LinkedIn @Advanced BioDesign   

About Xerys Invest   

Xerys Invest is a French private equity firm that invests mainly in today’s significant sectors such as Health & Life Sciences and GreenTech. Xerys Invest thus supports companies in industrial sectors that are going through major transformations that meet economic, environmental, and societal challenges and that have strong ambitions in terms of development and international expansion. Xerys Invest stands out on the market both by its modus operandi and long-term strategic and operational support for the companies held in its portfolio and by its offer of traced or pooled investment opportunities offered to investors and the relationship with them. Finally, Xerys Invest has real sector expertise, supported by a strategic committee made up of specialists and recognized experts in key sectors. 

For more information: https://xerys.com; LinkedIn @Xerys.  

Contacts:  

Advanced BioDesign 

Ismail Ceylan ismail.ceylan@a-biodesign.com