Aprea Therapeutics (NASDAQ:APRE) is a clinical‐stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing therapies that target the p53 tumor suppressor pathway, one of the most frequently altered pathways in human cancer. Its lead investigational agent, eprenetapopt (APR-246), is designed to restore wild‐type function to mutant p53 protein, triggering cancer cell death and enhancing the efficacy of existing anti‐cancer therapies. Aprea’s research focuses primarily on hematologic malignancies and solid tumors where p53 mutations drive disease progression.
The company’s pipeline includes eprenetapopt in combination with azacitidine for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), with ongoing clinical studies evaluating safety, tolerability and clinical benefit. In parallel, Aprea is exploring novel compounds that act synergistically with eprenetapopt, aiming to expand its therapeutic reach across a broader spectrum of p53‐mutant cancers. Preclinical programs also investigate the role of p53 reactivation in immuno‐oncology, with the goal of combining targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Founded in 2013, Aprea has its headquarters in Redwood City, California and maintains a research site in Stockholm, Sweden, reflecting its transatlantic scientific collaborations. The company emerged from pioneering academic work on small molecules that stabilize mutant p53 and leverages partnerships with leading research institutions and pharmaceutical companies to advance its clinical programs. Aprea completed its initial public offering on the NASDAQ exchange in 2017, providing capital to support ongoing and future studies.
Under the leadership of President and CEO Ullrich Graedler, Aprea’s management team brings together expertise in oncology drug development, regulatory affairs and commercial strategy. The company’s multidisciplinary leadership is supported by a scientific advisory board composed of experts in molecular oncology and translational medicine. Aprea continues to pursue collaborations and strategic alliances to accelerate the development and potential approval of its p53‐based therapies worldwide.
