On January 30, 2025 Manhattan BioSolutions, Inc. ("MABS"), an emerging biotechnology company developing new classes of precision biologics that harness natural host defense mechanisms, reported that its RNA-targeting therapeutic, MABS-139, will be evaluated in pediatric cancer models through the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Pediatric Preclinical in Vivo Testing (PIVOT) Program (Press release, Manhattan BioSolutions, JAN 30, 2025, View Source [SID1234649960]).
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The PIVOT consortium, coordinated by The Jackson Laboratory, brings together leading pediatric cancer research centers to systematically evaluate promising therapies using extensively characterized patient-derived xenograft models. The studies with MABS-139 will be conducted at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, one of the PIVOT participating institutions. The collaboration, formalized through a Material Transfer Agreement with NCI, involves a two-phase research plan. In the first phase, PIVOT investigators will conduct tolerability study to confirm the dosing regimen. In the second phase, comprehensive efficacy testing will be conducted utilizing patient-derived xenograft models of pediatric cancers including Ewing sarcoma, malignant rhabdoid tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, and hepatoblastoma. The research plan employs PIVOT’s innovative single mouse trial design to efficiently evaluate anti-tumor activity.
"Participation in the NCI PIVOT Program provides an extensive and invaluable level of expertise in preclinical pediatric cancer testing, and we are excited that MABS-139 was selected for evaluation after a diligent review process," said Dr. Borys Shor, CEO of Manhattan Bio. "Our novel agent degrades cancer-associated RNA which plays a fundamental role in promoting tumor growth, metastasis and resistance to current therapies. We are actively exploring this approach alongside other innovative payloads in our ADC development programs. This collaboration could potentially support a path to a rare disease pediatric voucher while generating valuable insights about addressing aggressive childhood cancers with limited treatment options."