VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. (“Rakovina” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: RKV) (FSE: 7JO0), a biopharmaceutical company advancing cancer therapies through AI-powered drug discovery, today announced that Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Mads Daugaard has been invited to present this week at the 13th Tuscany Retreat on Cancer Research and Apoptosis: Genetic profiling, resistance mechanisms and novel treatment concepts in cancer and neurodegeneration, taking pl ...

Core Insights - Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. is advancing cancer therapies through AI-powered drug discovery in collaboration with the University of British Columbia and the Vancouver Prostate Centre [1][2][5] Collaboration and Infrastructure - The partnership with UBC and the Vancouver Prostate Centre allows for compound testing and validation in a leading cancer research facility, enhancing the translation of scientific discoveries [2][5] - Rakovina's management team and scientific advisory board members hold dual roles at UBC and the Vancouver Prostate Centre, strengthening the collaboration [3] Key Personnel - Dr. Mads Daugaard, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Rakovina, serves as an Associate Professor at UBC and leads Molecular Pathology at the Vancouver Prostate Centre, bridging cancer biology with Rakovina's drug discovery programs [3] - Dr. Artem Cherkasov, AI and medicinal chemistry advisor, is a Senior Research Scientist at the Vancouver Prostate Centre and a Professor at UBC, known for developing the Deep Docking™ platform that accelerates drug discovery [4] Strategic Alignment - The company emphasizes strategic alignment with UBC's research excellence, leveraging infrastructure and expertise to advance next-generation cancer therapies [5] - Rakovina Therapeutics is focused on developing a pipeline of DNA-damage response inhibitors, aiming to advance drug candidates into human clinical trials in collaboration with pharmaceutical partners [6][7]

Core Insights - Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. has partnered with VariationalAI, which has been awarded the 2025 Emerging Company of the Year – Biotech by LifeSciencesBC, highlighting the significant progress and innovation in the biotechnology sector [1][2]. Company Overview - Rakovina Therapeutics is focused on developing innovative cancer treatments utilizing AI technologies, specifically through its proprietary Deep-Docking™ platform [6][7]. - The company aims to advance its pipeline of DNA-damage response inhibitors into human clinical trials in collaboration with pharmaceutical partners [7]. Partnership and Technology - Since the partnership began in September 2024, VariationalAI has utilized its Enki™ generative AI platform to expedite the discovery of novel DNA damage response (DDR) kinase inhibitors, particularly the KT-5000 series [3]. - The collaboration has resulted in multiple structurally novel compounds with favorable drug-like properties, showing promise as brain-penetrant agents for challenging tumors [3][4]. Recognition and Future Outlook - The recognition of VariationalAI as Emerging Biotech Company of the Year underscores the transformative impact of AI in drug discovery and the strength of the collaboration with Rakovina [4]. - The company anticipates further advancements in its AI-powered discovery pipeline, aiming to identify novel drug candidates with increased speed and precision [4][6].

Core Insights - Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. is advancing cancer therapies through AI-powered drug discovery and has partnered with VariationalAI, which has been recognized as the 2025 Emerging Company of the Year – Biotech by LifeSciencesBC [1][2]. Group 1: Partnership and Innovation - VariationalAI has utilized its Enki™ generative AI platform to accelerate the discovery of novel DNA damage response (DDR) kinase inhibitors since partnering with Rakovina in September 2024 [3]. - The collaboration has led to the development of the KT-5000 series, a new generation of synthetic small-molecule candidates targeting DDR pathways, resulting in multiple structurally novel compounds with favorable drug-like properties [3]. - Early data indicates that these candidates may serve as effective brain-penetrant agents for challenging tumors, marking a significant advancement in Rakovina's AI-powered discovery pipeline [3]. Group 2: Company Overview - Rakovina Therapeutics focuses on innovative cancer treatments, leveraging unique technologies for targeting DNA-damage response powered by AI through its proprietary Deep-Docking™ platform [6]. - The company aims to advance one or more drug candidates into human clinical trials in collaboration with pharmaceutical partners, establishing a pipeline of distinctive DNA-damage response inhibitors [7].

Core Insights - Rakovina Therapeutics is advancing next-generation cancer therapies through AI-powered drug discovery, highlighting its strategic objectives for H2 2025 amid a rapidly evolving global AI landscape [1][2]. Industry Overview - The biopharmaceutical industry is experiencing a transformative shift due to artificial intelligence, which is significantly impacting drug discovery, testing, and delivery processes [2]. - Recent collaborations, such as AstraZeneca's $5.3 billion agreement with CSPC Pharmaceutical Group, underscore the growing momentum in AI-driven drug development [2]. Company Highlights - Rakovina holds exclusive licenses to two AI discovery platforms, Deep Docking™ and Enki™, which can analyze billions of chemical structures at 100 times the speed of traditional methods [3]. - The Deep Docking™ platform was developed by Dr. Artem Cherkasov, who previously identified a compound that was licensed to Roche for $142 million, marking a significant achievement in life-sciences IP [4]. - The company operates an integrated discovery engine that combines in silico screening with biochemical and cellular validation through a collaboration with UBC [5]. H1 2025 Accomplishments - Rakovina presented two scientific posters at the AACR 2025 meeting, showcasing advancements in AI-derived DNA-damage response inhibitors [8]. - The kt-2000 program demonstrated improved metabolic stability and pharmacokinetic profiles, while the kt-5000 program unveiled potent ATR inhibitor candidates designed for CNS penetration [8]. - The company strengthened its financial position by closing an oversubscribed private placement and convertible debt financing of CAD 4.9 million [8]. - Rakovina began trading on the Frankfurt exchange and appointed new financial and scientific leaders to enhance governance and expertise [8]. Strategic Objectives for H2 2025 - The company plans to enter development collaborations for lead candidates in Q3 2025 and continue advancing preclinical development of its DNA Damage Response therapies [14]. - Rakovina aims to integrate AI and data science to enhance drug discovery capabilities and expand engagement with global institutional investors and strategic partners [14]. - The company seeks to secure non-dilutive funding through government initiatives and strategic alliances to support expanded drug development activities [14].

Core Insights - Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. has appointed Dr. David M. Kideckel as Chief Financial Officer, pending approval from the TSX Venture Exchange [1] - Dr. Kideckel has nearly two decades of experience in life sciences and capital markets, with a focus on scaling operations for healthcare companies [2] - The company is advancing innovative cancer therapies through AI-powered drug discovery, utilizing proprietary platforms [6][7] Company Overview - Rakovina Therapeutics is focused on developing innovative cancer treatments, particularly through DNA-damage response inhibitors [6][7] - The company aims to advance one or more drug candidates into human clinical trials in collaboration with pharmaceutical partners [7] Leadership Transition - Dr. Kideckel's appointment comes during a critical growth phase for the company, as stated by Executive Chairman Jeffrey Bacha [5] - David Hyman, the outgoing CFO, will remain in a consulting role after stepping down, having established robust financial systems for the company [5] Dr. Kideckel's Background - Dr. Kideckel has held leadership roles at ATB Capital Markets, Johnson & Johnson, and Alexion Pharmaceuticals, contributing to drug development and commercialization [3] - He holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Statistics and an MBA from the University of Toronto [4]

Core Viewpoint - Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. has appointed Mr. Yevgeniy Meshcherekov and Dr. David Kideckel to its board of directors, enhancing its governance and financial expertise as it advances its AI-driven cancer therapies [1][6][7]. Group 1: Appointments and Governance - Mr. Yevgeniy Meshcherekov brings over 20 years of experience in financial management across various industries, including fintech and blockchain [2][3]. - Dr. David Kideckel has nearly 20 years of experience in the Life Sciences sector, having held senior roles in healthcare and biotechnology, including at Johnson & Johnson and Alexion Pharmaceuticals [5][6]. - The appointments are aimed at strengthening Rakovina's financial and capital markets infrastructure in preparation for upcoming drug development milestones [6][7]. Group 2: Leadership Changes - Michael Liggett has retired from the board, having significantly contributed to the company's strategic direction and growth in the healthcare sector [8][9]. - The transition in leadership is expected to drive fiscal discipline and operational scale as the company continues to develop its oncology programs [7]. Group 3: Company Overview - Rakovina Therapeutics focuses on innovative cancer treatments using AI technologies, specifically targeting DNA-damage response through its proprietary platforms [9][10]. - The company aims to advance its pipeline of DNA-damage response inhibitors into human clinical trials in collaboration with pharmaceutical partners [10].

Notice Regarding Rakovina Therapeutics Forward-Looking Statements: About Rakovina Therapeutics Inc. Rakovina Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical research company focused on the development of innovative cancer treatments. Our work is based on unique technologies for targeting the DNA-damage response powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) using the proprietary Deep-Docking™ and Enki™ platforms. By using AI, we can review and optimize drug candidates at a much greater pace than ever before. The Company has e ...