Brenus Pharma has successfully closed a $25 million Series A financing round, paving the way for accelerated clinical development of its precision cancer vaccines. The funding will primarily support the Phase I/IIA clinical trial of STC-1010, the company's lead candidate, in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). This trial, known as "BreAK-CRC," will assess the safety and efficacy of STC-1010 in combination with low-dose immunostimulants and standard chemotherapy.
STC Platform: A Novel Approach to Cancer Immunotherapy
At the heart of Brenus Pharma's innovation is the STC (Stimulated-Tumor-(ghost)-Cell) platform. This technology aims to create personalized cancer vaccines that mimic the relapse conditions of a patient's tumor cells. By reproducing the resistance and escape mechanisms of tumors in the laboratory, the STC platform educates the patient's immune system to detect and destroy these cells as soon as they reappear, potentially reducing the risk of relapse. The STC platform is designed to address the challenge of cancer's adaptability, where tumors evolve to evade the immune system.
Clinical Trial Design and Objectives
The Phase I/IIA "BreAK-CRC" study is designed to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of STC-1010 in patients with unresectable mCRC who are resistant to immunotherapies. The trial will be conducted in multiple centers across Europe and the United States. Phase I will focus on determining the optimal dose of STC-1010, while Phase IIA will assess the treatment's efficacy, with a primary endpoint of progression-free survival at 12 months. The study will also incorporate innovative exploratory assays to evaluate the immune response and the dynamics of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).
Addressing Unmet Needs in Cancer Treatment
Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, with approximately 19 million new cases diagnosed annually and an estimated 10 million deaths. Despite advances in treatment, many patients with solid tumors experience relapse, highlighting the need for innovative therapeutic strategies. Brenus Pharma's STC platform represents a promising approach to address this unmet need by providing a new type of precision treatment that anticipates the progression of the disease and empowers the patient's immune system to combat tumor recurrence.
Expansion to Other Solid Tumors
In addition to the STC-1010 program in mCRC, Brenus Pharma plans to expand the application of its STC platform to other solid tumor indications, including gastric tumors of the pancreas and liver. The company is also developing STC-1020, a second candidate targeting other solid tumors. These efforts reflect Brenus Pharma's commitment to developing a broad portfolio of cancer vaccines based on its innovative STC platform.
