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ATLANTA — Georgia State University’s Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization previously licensed a technology invented at Georgia State to SIRPant Immunotherapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage startup company developing cell-based therapeutics to fight aggressive forms of cancer. The company recently initiated its first Phase I clinical trial to assess the safety and tolerability of SIRPant-M™, a product developed for treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
In pre-clinical studies, the technology shows promise in reprogramming the patients’ immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells and to create long-term immune memory that prevents recurrence. The immuno-oncology company employs a unique approach that uses macrophages to promote an immune response that has potential to provide benefit to patients with hematological malignancies and solid tumors.
The innovation was invented in the lab of former Georgia State professor Yuan Liu and developed into a clinical product by SIRPant. Former licensing associate in Georgia State's Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization Nathanael McCurley is a co-founder and vice president of R&D with SIRPant.
“SIRPant is pleased at the opportunity to clinically evaluate this compelling therapeutic approach. Very distinct from other immuno-oncology products, SIRPant-M induces polyclonal T cell and antibody responses against tumor neo-antigens in pre-clinical models,” said McCurley. “If these mechanisms also operate in human cancer patients, this therapy has potential to change the way we approach patient treatment.”
The company uses a cell-based approach that involves activation and SIRPα expression decrease of patient-derived macrophages. After injection, these cells are intended to attack the tumor, stimulating the patient’s immune system to generate broad-spectrum anti-tumor action. McCurley said one of SIRPant’s advantages is that product manufacturing is easier, faster and less expensive than other cellular therapies, with reduced toxicities because the company does not introduce genetical alterations into its cells.
“We are thrilled that these immunotherapies, licensed to a Georgia State startup, are now in clinical trials,” said Joanne Mitchell, Ph.D., director of Georgia State’s Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization. “These technologies show great promise and it’s exciting to play a role in bringing them to patients through the company’s product pipeline.”
Highlights:
MAY 2023
The company receives FDA clearance for an investigational new drug (IND) application for its lead product candidate, SIRPant-M™, an autologous SIRPαlow activated macrophage therapy for the treatment of aggressive tumors. This allows SIRPant to begin enrolling patients in its first clinical trial focused on patients with relapsed refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
NOVEMBER 2023
The FDA grants Orphan Drug Designation for SIRPant’s lead product candidate, SIRPant-M™, for the treatment of T-cell lymphoma. The FDA’s Orphan Drug Designation allows fast tracking of clinical trials and FDA approval, so the product can reach market faster.
DECEMBER 2023
The FDA clears a second Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the company’s lead product candidate, SIRPant-M™, to treat solid tumors. The clinical trial is expected to begin enrolling patients in the near future.
MARCH 2024
First patient receives treatment in Phase I, first-in-human, multi-center study evaluating SIRPant-M™ alone or in combination with focal external-beam radiotherapy (XRT) in patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (R/R-NHL).
Founded in 2020, SIRPant Immunotherapeutics is currently working to build a Series B financing round. The funding will go toward advancing the company through clinical development.
To learn more about Georgia State University research and its impact, visit research.gsu.edu.