GCIPoolbeg Pharma makes oncology breakthrough
( ), a clinical stage infectious disease company, announced the expansion of its POLB 001 flagship asset into oncology. POLB 001 is Poolbeg's candidate for severa influenza.
While investigating the role of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in severe influenza, Poolbeg said it discovered data suggesting that POLB 001 has the potential to dampen hyperinflammation associated with CRS that affects patients receiving CAR T-cell cancer therapies.
CAR T-cell therapies are a form of cancer immunotherapy, and CRS is an often encountered side effect associated with such therapies that causes potentially life-threatening hyperinflammation.
Poolbeg said it is readying oncology clinical trials, expecting trials in CAR T-cell patients to commence in 2024. The company will issue further oncology-related data, regulatory feedback, and non-clinical development updates later in 2023.
It has already submitted a patent application for the use of POLB 001 in addressing the impact of CRS in CAR T-cell patients, and reiterated its long-term objective to evaluate POLB 001's potential in additional indications, to fully unlock the value of the molecule, with a view to potential partnering and out-licensing.
Professor Brendan Buckley, Scientific Advisory Board member at Poolbeg Pharma, commented:
"By reducing runaway inflammation associated with CRS, POLB 001 has the potential to significantly reduce the serious adverse effects that many CAR T cell patients suffer. With 18-19 million cases of cancer diagnosed globally each year, the use of cell therapies is predicted to expand significantly over the coming years with the CAR T cell market expected to grow to an estimated $6 billion by 2031.
With oncology clinical trial enabling activities for POLB 001 underway, we look forward to updating the market as to the progress of this exciting programme."
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Only a week after Poolbeg announced positive initial data from its human challenge trial for POLB 001, the company has come out with a second major application for POLB 001 in CAR T-cell therapy. Should trials in 2024 prove successful, this will translate into a significant increase in POLB 001's value to interested biopharma partners or buyers.
CAR T-cell therapies are a form of immunotherapy at the forefront of cancer research. Such cell therapies have already produced remarkable results, including complete and durable responses in patients with advanced leukaemia and lymphoma who failed on previous therapies.
However, CAR T-cell therapies can induce side effects, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which in severe forms can be life threatening. This is where POLB 001 can shine as a companion therapy, as its mode of action can significantly reduce hyperinflammation associated with CRS.
The CAR T-cell market is forecast to grow to £6bn by 2031. Should POLB 001 prove a reliable companion treatment, its value will follow a similar trajectory.
Poolbeg is already advancing development with patents filed and preparation started for trials in CAR-T cell patients in 2024. Poolbeg's fast development pace is in in line with its capital-light business model, which sees it develop and bring products through to early human proof of concept in the clinic, then partner with large pharma and biotech companies that continue the pipeline to production and distribution. Thus, Poolbeg profits from the relatively inexpensive human trial process, now enhanced with their partners' AI analysis, and then exits at the scale-up stage.
Today's news should accelerate Poolbeg's discussions with potential partners for POLB 001. The company remains well funded with a cash balance of £18.9m on 30 June 2022, enabling it to jump on high-value opportunities and quickly fund development. It's long development pipeline will continue to drive value for shareholders in 2023.
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