The Uppsala-based company’s BEA-28 is a first-in-class small molecule that degrades the TEAD transcription factors, which are key effectors of the Hippo–YAP/TAZ pathway. Rather than blocking a binding pocket, BEA-28 removes the TEAD proteins and all their functions. This approach is suited to cancers where activity in that pathway drives tumor growth or treatment resistance.

In preclinical studies, BEA-28 produced robust tumor regressions at well-tolerated doses and restored sensitivity to KRAS inhibitors in resistant models. Beactica is pursuing a biomarker-led combination strategy, and its lead indication is a cancer with high unmet medical need.

“Selecting BEA-28 as a preclinical candidate reflects the strength of our TEAD degrader program and our confidence in the compound’s differentiated profile. By moving this specific molecule into final candidate validation, we are executing on our mission to transition this program rapidly toward the clinic,” says Per Källblad, CEO, Beactica Therapeutics.

BEA-28 was developed using Beactica’s Eclipsor platform. The molecule will now move into comprehensive candidate validation, which includes non-regulatory toxicology, scale-up chemistry, and advanced formulation profiling. Studies supporting an IND application will begin once the candidate drug has been nominated.