LU Bio portfolio company Cantargia has achieved in-vivo proof of concept targeting IL1RAP expressing human tumor. The concept of targeting IL1RAP has with these findings been further validated. The results show highly significant inhibition of tumor growth in a transplanted in-vivo model of human malignant melanoma, this as a result of the treatment with a Cantariga-developed anti-IL1RAP monoclonal antibody.
LU Bio has in total invested SEK 6,8 million in Cantargia and holds a position of 53 %, others being the founders.
The company has previously presented significant anti malignant effects in an ex-vivo model of human leukemia. The project is based on the original discovery of IL1RAP as a unique receptor on leukemic stem cells in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. The IL1RAP receptor has also been shown to be up-regulated on stem cells of AML and ALL.
"These results validate the concept in-vivo as well as represent an additional therapeutic target for an antibody based therapy against IL1RAP" says Agneta Svedberg, CEO of Cantargia.
"Already with the conceptually new therapy for hematologic malignancies, Cantargia appeared highly valuable" says Thomas Andersson, CEO of LU Bioscience AB. "The new promise of a therapy also against solid tumors is very attractive."
For more information, please contact:
Thomas Andersson, CEO LU Bio, thomas@lubio.se, telephone +46 70 287 00 15
Agneta Svedberg, CEO Cantargia, agneta.svedberg@cantargia.com, +46 (0) 705 14 11 63
About Cantargia AB
Cantargia is developing a conceptually new cancer therapy, based on the original discovery that certain leukemia stem cells express a specific cell-surface receptor, whereas corresponding normal hematopoietic stem cells do not express this receptor. This receptor is used as a target for development of a new antibody based therapy. Cantargia uses this receptor, the Interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP), as the target for development of a novel antibody-based therapy for CML. For more information on Cantargia please visit www.cantargia.com.
About LU Bioscience AB
Lund University Bioscience AB (LU Bio) was established to help satisfy the need to transform high-end research results and innovations into attractive business propositions through supporting researchers. LU Bio is a commercial early-stage investor who provides both capital and industrial development expertise to enable a fast and efficient development of bioscience inventions. For more information on Cantargia please visit www.lubio.se
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Source: LU Bioscience via Thomson Reuters ONE
