CERo Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CERO) has secured FDA clearance for its Investigational New Drug (IND) application to commence Phase 1 clinical trials of CER-1236 in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). The company, focused on advancing engineered T cell therapeutics with enhanced phagocytic mechanisms, anticipates initiating the first-in-human trial in Q1 2025.
Novel Approach to AML Treatment
CER-1236 represents a novel therapeutic strategy in AML treatment, integrating engineered T cells with phagocytic mechanisms. This dual-action approach aims to enhance the immune system's ability to target and eliminate AML cells, potentially improving outcomes for patients with this aggressive malignancy. AML, characterized by rapid proliferation of abnormal myeloid cells in the bone marrow, often presents with poor prognosis and limited treatment options, underscoring the need for innovative therapies.
Clinical Trial Plans
The planned Phase 1 trial will evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of CER-1236 in AML patients. The study is designed to assess the appropriate dosing regimen and identify potential adverse effects, while also monitoring for early signs of anti-leukemic activity. Details regarding specific endpoints and patient inclusion criteria will be disclosed as the trial approaches its initiation in early 2025.
Executive Commentary
Interim CEO Chris Ehrlich stated, "Following our productive discussions with FDA, we look forward to initiating our first in-human trial of CER-1236 in AML. We believe our lead compound offers a novel and powerful approach in treating cancer and will explore its differentiated attributes in the upcoming clinical trial in patients with one of the deadliest of all cancers, AML."
Ehrlich also thanked the CERo team for their work in bringing CER-1236 to this pivotal point, calling it a very important milestone. He added that the team will now focus on deploying resources in anticipation of a first quarter 2025 start for the Phase 1 trial and sharing future program updates.
About CERo Therapeutics
CERo Therapeutics is an immunotherapy company focused on developing next-generation engineered T cell therapeutics for cancer treatment. CERo's approach integrates innate and adaptive immunity characteristics into a single therapeutic construct, designed to engage the body’s full immune repertoire for optimized cancer therapy. Their novel cellular immunotherapy platform redirects patient-derived T cells to eliminate tumors by building in engulfment pathways that employ phagocytic mechanisms to destroy cancer cells, creating Chimeric Engulfment Receptor T cells (CER-T). CERo believes CER-T cells' differentiated activity will afford them greater therapeutic application than currently approved chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T) cell therapy, potentially spanning both hematological malignancies and solid tumors.
