SA-53

The therapy has shown significant potency, efficacy and safety in preclinical models. Credit: Alexander Raths via Shutterstock. Lamassu Bio has received a $2.05m grant from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) for the development of SA53, a new therapeutic for p53 wild-type sarcomas. The funding will advance the progression of the new cancer treatment into clinical trials. Lamassu Bio will carry out the trial in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center and the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Department. It will establish a safe dosage of SA53 for future trials. It will also assess the pharmacokinetic profiles and initial signs of effectiveness of the treatment to treat soft tissue sarcomas with wild-type p53. See Also: Pearl Bio and Merck partner for discovery of cancer therapies Selecta Biosciences files patent for enhanced gene therapy using viral vectors and immunosuppressants P53 has a pivotal role in tumour suppression, initiating cell death in response to stress. This makes it an ideal target for cancer therapy. SA53 will be analysed to treat p53 wild-type sarcomas – malignant tumours of connective or non-epithelial tissue. The therapy has shown significant potency, efficacy and safety in preclinical models, facilitating a future investigational new drug submission. It is designed to activate the body’s natural defence mechanism against cancer by inhibiting murine double minute 2, a protein that deactivates p53 and contributes to treatment resistance. Lamassu Bio CEO and founder Gabi Hanna stated: “We believe that this genetically targeted therapy is potentially game-changing and can bring new hope for thousands of patients dealing with these cancers. “The NIH grant will play a pivotal role in facilitating the transition of our research from the laboratory to the bedside. Collaborating with the exceptional team at the Cleveland Clinic and NCI will also help accelerate the advancement of this therapy to the next phase of development. “Together, we’re poised to make meaningful strides in bringing innovative treatments to those in need who have no good option.”