Telomir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: TELO), a preclinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for cancer, aging, and age-related diseases, has announced groundbreaking findings regarding its lead candidate, Telomir-1. The new research demonstrates that Telomir-1 selectively kills aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells by disrupting their energy pathways and iron metabolism, offering a potential new avenue for treating one of the most challenging forms of breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer, which accounts for 10-15% of all breast cancer cases, is known for its aggressive nature and limited treatment options. Unlike other breast cancer subtypes, TNBC lacks estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, making it unresponsive to hormone or HER2-targeted therapies. Current treatments, such as chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors, often yield limited success, with many patients experiencing relapse. The five-year survival rate for metastatic TNBC remains dismal at 12-15%, highlighting the urgent need for innovative therapies.

Telomir-1 offers a promising solution. In laboratory studies, the compound caused a dose-dependent reduction in TNBC cell survival. Researchers observed that as Telomir-1 concentrations increased, cancer cells lost their ability to grow and survive. Importantly, the addition of iron reversed this effect, confirming that Telomir-1's activity hinges on its ability to regulate iron and disrupt cellular energy balance.

The discovery is particularly significant because TNBC cells are among the most metabolically active of all breast cancer types, relying heavily on iron to fuel their rapid growth. Telomir-1 appears to exploit this dependency, targeting a core metabolic vulnerability unique to these aggressive tumors. Unlike cancer cells, normal cells manage iron differently and are less reliant on it, suggesting that Telomir-1 may selectively affect cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.

"This discovery provides important mechanistic clarity," said Dr. Angel, Chief Scientific Advisor at Telomir Pharmaceuticals. "The reversal of the effect by iron, combined with Telomir-1's established impact on key enzymes, confirms that it acts through defined biological pathways rather than nonspecific toxicity. This unique profile supports both efficacy and safety in future studies."

Telomir-1's effects extend beyond iron regulation. The compound has previously been shown to reset abnormal DNA methylation patterns and restore balanced gene expression in cancer and age-related disease models. In TNBC, certain iron-dependent enzymes, such as Jumonji domain histone demethylases (KDMs), drive gene-expression changes that make cancer cells more aggressive and resistant to treatment. By influencing these epigenetic mechanisms, Telomir-1 may rebalance pathways controlling iron use, oxidative stress, and energy metabolism.

"Telomir-1's ability to target a defined metabolic weakness in cancer cells represents an important step forward," said Erez Aminov, CEO of Telomir Pharmaceuticals. "We are committed to developing therapies that can meaningfully improve outcomes for patients with limited treatment options."

Telomir Pharmaceuticals plans to expand its research by testing Telomir-1 in additional cancer types, including pancreatic cancer and leukemia. The company is also preparing for further animal studies as it works toward an Investigational New Drug (IND) submission.

With approximately 30,000-45,000 new TNBC cases diagnosed annually in the United States and several hundred thousand globally, the market opportunity for an effective therapy is significant. Telomir-1's targeted approach could provide a much-needed breakthrough for patients facing this aggressive disease.

About Telomir Pharmaceuticals

Telomir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing small-molecule therapies that address the root causes of cancer, aging, and age-related diseases. By resetting dysregulated epigenetic programs, Telomir aims to restore tumor suppressors, block undruggable enzymes, and reprogram gene control. For more information, visit www.telomirpharma.com.