Myosin Therapeutics Receives $2 Million Florida Grant for First-in-Human Glioblastoma Trial
Key Insights
Myosin Therapeutics (search) secured $2 million from the Casey DeSantis Florida Cancer Innovation Fund to support its STAR-GBM Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating MT-125 in newly diagnosed glioblastoma (search) patients.
The trial represents the first clinical evaluation of MT-125 and is being conducted in collaboration with Mayo Clinic, with all three U.S. Mayo Clinic research units participating in the study.
MT-125 has received Orphan Drug Designation for malignant gliomas (search) and Fast Track Designation for glioblastoma (search), supporting an accelerated regulatory pathway for this serious disease with significant unmet medical need.
Myosin Therapeutics (search) announced it has been awarded $2 million in funding from the Florida Department of Health (search) through the Casey DeSantis Florida Cancer Innovation Fund (FCIF) to support the company's STAR-GBM Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating MT-125 in patients newly diagnosed with glioblastoma (search) (GBM). The Jupiter, Florida-based biotechnology company was selected for funding based on the scientific innovation and clinical potential of MT-125, its lead oncology therapeutic candidate.
First-in-Human Trial for Novel Cancer Therapy
The Phase 1/2 STAR-GBM clinical trial represents the first clinical evaluation of MT-125 and is being conducted in collaboration with Mayo Clinic, with all three Mayo Clinic clinical research units in the U.S. participating in the study. The award will specifically support clinical trial activities being conducted at the Mayo Clinic campus in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Phase 1 portion of the trial will evaluate safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics, while generating early clinical data to inform the Phase 2 dose expansion portion of the study. Mayo Clinic's Florida campus brings specialized neuro-oncology expertise and clinical trial infrastructure to evaluate MT-125 in patients with newly diagnosed GBM.
Regulatory Recognition and Broader Development Program
MT-125 has received significant regulatory recognition, including Orphan Drug Designation for malignant gliomas (search) and Fast Track Designation for glioblastoma (search), supporting an accelerated regulatory pathway for therapies addressing serious diseases with significant unmet medical need. Beyond glioblastoma, MT-125 is being developed for several treatment-resistant cancers, including acute myeloid leukemia (search) and pancreatic cancer (search).
"We are honored to receive support from the Casey DeSantis Florida Cancer Innovation Fund as we bring MT-125 to patients," said Dr. Courtney Miller, Co-Founder and CEO of Myosin Therapeutics (search). "This funding helps support the continued progress of our Phase 1/2 STAR-GBM trial and reflects the growing strength of Florida's life sciences community in advancing innovative cancer therapies."
Targeting Molecular Nanomotor Proteins
Myosin Therapeutics (search) is developing first-in-class therapies for oncology and CNS disorders by targeting molecular nanomotor proteins (search). The company's lead program, MT-125, is being developed for the treatment of multiple aggressive cancers by targeting the physical mechanics of tumor cells to prevent their growth and invasion into healthy tissues.
Dr. Patrick Griffin, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Myosin Therapeutics (search), emphasized the broader impact of the funding: "This support from the Florida Department of Health (search) will help accelerate the clinical development of MT-125 and strengthen Florida's role as a growing hub for biotechnology innovation. Programs like FCIF play an important role in enabling emerging biotechs to translate promising scientific discoveries into clinical programs that can ultimately benefit patients."
The Casey DeSantis Florida Cancer Innovation Fund is a statewide initiative designed to accelerate the development of innovative cancer therapies and strengthen the life sciences ecosystem in Florida by supporting promising research programs and emerging biotechnology companies.