The Hedgehog signaling pathway represents a new way of understanding and potentially attacking the progression and reoccurrence of cancer. The Hedgehog pathway is normally active during embryonic development and regulates tissue and organ formation. Malignant activation of the Hedgehog pathway is believed to play a central role in allowing the proliferation and survival of cancer cells, including pancreatic, prostate, small cell lung, breast, and hematologic cancers, as well as certain skin and brain cancers.

How Does Hedgehog Pathway Inhibition Function?

Infinity is developing a novel, proprietary Hedgehog pathway inhibitor,
IPI-926. In preclinical models, IPI-926 has shown potent and selective inhibition of the Hedgehog pathway, anti-tumor activity, and attractive pharmacologic properties, including oral bioavailability and favorable half-life. IPI-926 is currently being evaluated in multiple clinical trials and is part of Infinity's global strategic alliance with Purdue Pharmaceutical Products L.P. and Mundipharma International Corporation Limited.