Lantern Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRN) has successfully completed a Type C meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, securing critical regulatory guidance for a planned pediatric clinical trial targeting CNS cancers, including the ultra-rare Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT). The meeting provided essential clarity on trial design and regulatory pathways for the company's lead investigational therapy LP-184/STAR-001.
FDA Endorses Innovative Trial Design
During the Type C meeting, the FDA provided constructive feedback on the proposed clinical trial structure, which includes a parallel cohort specifically designed for ATRT patients to accelerate data collection in this ultra-rare population. The agency also confirmed the potential incorporation of spironolactone as a combination agent, allowing for the assessment of spironolactone's synergistic effects with LP-184/STAR-001 in enhancing potential efficacy against CNS cancers.
This regulatory endorsement aligns with Lantern's strategy to advance precision oncology solutions for pediatric patients facing limited treatment options. The company is now preparing to submit an IND (investigational new drug) application amendment for LP-184/STAR-001 under its wholly owned subsidiary, Starlight Therapeutics, based on the guidance received from the FDA meeting.
Addressing Critical Unmet Medical Need
Lantern's ATRT program has received both Rare Pediatric Disease Designation and Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA, underscoring the urgent unmet need for innovative therapies in these aggressive childhood brain cancers. The planned trial is expected to enroll pediatric patients across multiple sites, with primary endpoints focused on progression-free survival, overall response rate, and quality-of-life measures.
"We are thrilled with the constructive dialogue and positive feedback from our Type C meeting with the FDA," said Panna Sharma, President and CEO of Lantern Pharma. "This guidance not only reinforces our trial design but also highlights the potential of our AI platform, RADR®, in identifying and optimizing combination regimens like spironolactone for these devastating pediatric CNS cancers. We remain committed to rapidly advancing this program with the aim of bringing hope to children and families affected by brain cancer."
AI-Driven Drug Development Platform
Lantern Pharma continues to leverage its proprietary RADR® AI platform to accelerate drug development, reduce costs, and identify patient responders across oncology indications. The platform leverages over 200 billion oncology-focused data points and a library of 200+ advanced machine learning algorithms to solve complex problems in oncology drug development.
The company's AI-driven pipeline of innovative product candidates is estimated to have a combined annual market potential of over $15 billion USD and have the potential to provide life-changing therapies to hundreds of thousands of cancer patients worldwide. Current development programs include a Phase 2 clinical program and multiple Phase 1 clinical trials spanning both solid tumors and blood cancers, as well as an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) program.
Timeline and Next Steps
Lantern Pharma plans to submit the Investigational New Drug (IND) application amendment incorporating the FDA's guidance in the coming months, with planned trial initiation targeted for Q1 2026. This timeline represents a significant milestone in bringing potentially life-saving treatments to pediatric patients with CNS cancers, particularly those with ATRT, where treatment options remain severely limited.
