On August 3, 2022 Celdara Medical, LLC reported that the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I award to fund the company’s proof of concept studies on a new platform to improve chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells efficacy to treat solid tumors (Press release, Celdara Medical, AUG 3, 2022, View Source [SID1234617365]).
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Dr. Joana Murad-Mabaera, who leads this effort, stated, "CAR T-based cellular products have been very effective against liquid tumors. However, the impact on solid tumors has been far below the expectations set in hematologic malignancies, largely due to the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment. This approach, with Dr. Huang, supports and protects CAR T cells in this environment and ultimately improves their efficacy in solid cancers. This is a major unmet need."
Dr. Jake Reder, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Celdara Medical, added, "Celdara has been innovating in the CAR T space longer than just about any other company, and we’ve collaborated with leading academicians and public companies to bring those innovations to patients. This work will advance a platform with the potential help many more solid tumor patients become responders, and ultimately, survivors. This is our mission and our passion."
Dr. Yina Huang, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine and Dartmouth Cancer Center, stated, "We are truly excited for this opportunity to partner with Celdara Medical to expand CAR T cell treatment to patients with solid tumors. Generally, academics like me disseminate our research through publications, but NIH small business grants allow us to continue to advance our discoveries towards improving patient health by working directly with research and business experts in biotech."
Research reported in this press release is supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award number RCA271880A. The content is solely the responsibility of Celdara Medical and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.