Immorta Bio Submits IND for Senolytic Immunotherapy SenoVax™ in Advanced Lung Cancer

Immorta Bio Inc, based in Miami Beach, has announced the filing of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the FDA, designated with #30745, to commence a clinical trial for SenoVax. This personalized cellular solution targets advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients who have not responded to standard treatments. The trial will include three groups of patients receiving varying doses of SenoVax to assess its safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy.

SenoVax utilizes dendritic cell technology to enhance the immune system's natural ability to eliminate senescent cells, often referred to as "zombie cells." These cells contribute to aging and are known to shield tumors from immune attacks. Previous research by Immorta Bio has demonstrated that SenoVax can both inhibit lung cancer growth in animal models and trigger immune responses that specifically target and destroy senescent cells in laboratory settings.

Thomas Ichim, PhD, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Immorta Bio, highlighted that this is the first clinical candidate designed to target cells protecting the cancer rather than the cancer itself. He emphasized that senescent cells, unlike cancer cells, do not mutate rapidly, making them more stable targets for therapeutic interventions. While the primary objective of the study is not to explore systemic effects, any additional regenerative benefits of SenoVax will be of significant interest.

Studies have shown that reducing the number of senescent cells through small molecule approaches can alleviate some adverse effects of aging, such as physical and mental decline. Moreover, reducing senescent cells has been reported to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. Immorta Bio hypothesizes that immune-mediated removal of senescent cells is a more promising approach than using small molecules, given the immune system's inherent role in clearing these cells.

Boris Reznik, PhD, Chairman and CEO of Immorta Bio, expressed gratitude to the team and collaborators for advancing this laboratory technology to a clinical candidate. He pointed out that the Senolytic Immunotherapy has the potential to be valuable not only as a standalone treatment but also as an adjunct to existing oncological therapies.

SenoVax is an autologous polyvalent cellular therapeutic designed to trigger immune responses against senescent cells. It is developed by taking a skin biopsy from the patient and creating autologous senescent cells in vitro using a proprietary method. These cells are then used as an antigenic source to stimulate the patient's dendritic cells generated outside the body. SenoVax merges the effectiveness of dendritic cell immunotherapy with the novel approach of targeting tumor-associated senescent cells. Preclinical studies have shown that SenoVax can reduce the growth of lung cancer in animal models and trigger immune responses that selectively kill senescent cells in the laboratory.

Immorta Bio is a biotechnology company focused on longevity, developing personalized cellular therapeutic platforms aimed at treating diseases related to aging. Their therapeutic candidates address unmet medical needs across various organ systems. By creating personalized cellular therapies for aging-related diseases, Immorta Bio aims to significantly extend healthy longevity for their patients.