CytoAgents Gets Third NIH Grant to Study Cytokine Release Syndrome

CytoAgents Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology firm based in Pittsburgh, has announced the receipt of a $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This is the third NIH grant awarded to the company in the past four years. The funding will be directed towards accelerating the development of CytoAgents' primary drug candidate, CTO1681. This investigational new drug aims to prevent and alleviate Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) in patients undergoing CAR T-Cell therapy, a cutting-edge cancer treatment.

Cytokine Release Syndrome is a significant medical challenge, particularly for patients receiving CAR T-Cell and Bispecific Antibody therapies. These advanced immunotherapies, while highly effective, frequently lead to CRS and associated neurotoxicity, highlighting a critical need for effective management strategies. CRS, also known as cytokine storm, results from excessive cytokine production and can be triggered by various diseases and treatments, causing severe systemic inflammation.

Arthur P. Bertolino, Chief Medical Officer of CytoAgents, expressed gratitude for the NIH grant, noting its importance in advancing the company's research. "We are deeply honored to receive a third NIH grant, which further validates the importance and potential of our research at CytoAgents," he stated. Bertolino emphasized the company's commitment to leveraging this support to advance scientific discovery and develop impactful therapies for patients.

CytoAgents is currently enrolling patients in a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial to evaluate CTO1681's effectiveness in treating CRS in lymphoma patients undergoing CAR T-Cell therapy. This multi-site clinical trial across the United States aims to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of various doses of CTO1681.

CEO Teresa Whalen highlighted the significance of the NIH funding in accelerating their ongoing clinical trial. "We are appreciative of the support from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health; this funding will help to accelerate our ongoing trial," she said. Whalen pointed out that an effective CRS treatment could substantially improve patient outcomes and expand access to new, critical cancer therapies.

The NIH grant, awarded under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, is non-dilutive and will support the continued research and development of CTO1681. This financial backing comes from the National Cancer Institute, a division of the NIH, under Award Number R44CA287634. It is important to note that the content and conclusions of this research are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

CytoAgents Inc. is a privately held company focused on developing novel pharmaceutical products to address life-threatening symptoms associated with CRS. The company’s mission is to create broadly accessible treatments for various indications of high unmet medical need, including CRS triggered by CAR T-Cell and Bispecific Antibody therapies, respiratory epidemics, and autoimmune disorders. Leveraging a host-directed approach, CTO1681 aims to modulate the body's natural immune response to disease, targeting the underlying cause of life-threatening CRS. CytoAgents is committed to developing first-in-class and best-in-class products to meet significant medical needs now and in the future.