1995-2004
Harvard University discovers many of the family of histone deacetylase enzymes present in human cells, including the Class IIb enzyme HDAC62003
Harvard University develops first small molecule inhibitor of HDAC6, a compound named “tubacin” because of its ability to enhance chemical “acetylation” of the intracellular protein “tubulin”2004
Researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute recognize that HDAC6 inhibition could potentially play a crucial role in the treatment of multiple myeloma, certain forms of lymphoma and leukemia and inflammatory disorders2004-2008
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute collaborate in the lead optimization of further compounds with enhanced potency and selectivity for HDAC6 inhibition, using an “Iterative Biasing Chemistry” methodology2007
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute discover a new HDAC6-selecitve inhibitor compound shown to be exceptionally capable of killing multiple myeloma and other cancerous cells in in vitro disease models, while exhibiting low toxicity in other normal cell types2008
Acetylon Pharmaceuticals is founded with exclusive license to “Iterative Biasing Chemistry” methodology and HDAC6-selective inhibitor program from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute2009
MarchAcetylon Scientific Founders publish capabilities of Acetylon’s technology platform for the discovery of selective HDAC inhibitors (Nature Chemical Biology)
August
Acetylon announces a $7.25 million Series A financing with private investors, Walter Ogier appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer.
September
Management team expanded to include Simon Jones, Ph.D. as Vice President Biology and Preclinical Development and John van Duzer, Ph.D. as Vice President Chemistry and Manufacturing.
2010
JanuaryAcetylon announces a $2.0 million additional financing.
October
Acetylon awarded $500 thousand in Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Program grants from the NIH and IRS for its cancer and inflammation drug development programs.
December
Acetylon scientists present, at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology, favorable results of oral selective HDAC6 inhibitor drug candidate ACY-1215 in disease models of multiple myeloma and in preclinical safety testing.
2011:
FebruaryWayne W. Hancock MD, Ph.D. and Tso-Pang Yao Ph.D. join the Acetylon Scientific Advisory Board.
May
Acetylon and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society announce a partnership to advance ACY-1215 for multiple myeloma, including funding from LLS to help support the first clinical trial of an HDAC6 inhibitor.
July
Acetylon completes a $28 million Series B financing with private investors.
September
Acetylon announces initiation of a Phase 1-2a clinical trial of its lead drug candidate ACY-1215 in relapsed and relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma at several US medical centers, including treatment with ACY-1215 alone and in combination with bortezomib (Velcade, Millennium Pharmaceuticals) and dexamethasone.
November
Catherine Wheeler MD joins the Acetylon management team as Vice President Clinical Development.
December
Acetylon scientists and academic collaborators present at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic preclinical data for ACY-1215 plus preclinical evidence for potential restoration of osteoblast function and normalization of bone disease in multiple myeloma by selective HDAC6 inhibition, with ACY-1215 alone or in combination with bortezomib.
2012:
FebruaryPharmaceutical company Celgene invests $15 million in Acetylon to support expansion of the ACY-1215 clinical development program and names Chief Commercial Officer Mark Alles as an observer to the Acetylon Board of Directors.
