ASCO 2026: All about DNA damage response, with Luke Piggot
The oncology space today is an array of different innovative mechanisms of action, and companies of all sizes are trying to keep pace with the cutting edge of the space. For Debiopharm, one of those novel areas is DNA damage repair, treatments that focus on preventing cancer cells from repairing themselves.
On the sidelines of ASCO 2026, pharmaphorum EiC Jonah Comstock spoke with Luke Piggot, a principal scientist at Debiopharm, about some recent data from a novel combination of the company’s PKMYT1 inhibitor, lunresertib, and its DDR-focused WEE1 inhibitor, zedoresertib, in platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian cancer -- data that led to a fast-track designation from the FDA.
Piggot explains DDR and why it works, and also talks about the company’s continued investment in antibody-drug conjugates and why he believes the linker, the oft-forgotten third element of an ADC, is actually an important source of competitive advantage.
Finally, they discuss larger ASCO trends, including the advent of more data collected in China and how that’s going to affect the space going forward. Plus, a preview of what’s coming up from Debiopharm at ESMO and beyond. Check out the full chat below.
