Helix 51 Company Saros Therapeutics Receives Second $2 Million Award to Advance Cancer Immunotherapy

Saros Therapeutics, part of Rosalind Franklin University’s (RFU) Helix 51 biomedical incubator, has received its second award from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) through the SBIR Direct-to-Phase II Program of approximately $2 million to advance a potential new cancer immunotherapy.

The two-year award marks another step in developing the company’s nanoparticle technology. Saros is developing a treatment designed to help the immune system recognize and attack cancers that can evade the body’s natural defenses. The new technology uses tiny particles to carry therapeutic compounds to immune cells, where they are intended to activate a natural immune response against tumors.

The approach works through a part of the immune system known as the STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) pathway, a major part of the body’s natural immune defense system. Scientists study the STING pathway because activating it can prompt the immune system to target and eliminate cancerous tumors. Earlier this year, research involving Saros’ SMP nanoparticle system was published in Science.

The new NCI funding will support studies needed to advance the company’s experimental therapy to potential clinical testing in people.

“This major recognition by NCI of the Saros novel delivery system for metastatic cancer is truly exciting,” said Janice Urban, PhD, RFU interim executive vice president for research. “We look forward to their progress toward an Investigational New Drug (IND) application and advancing new therapy to benefit cancer patients.”

Saros joined RFU’s Helix 51 biomedical incubator earlier this year. With the new NCI funding, Saros plans to expand its presence in RFU’s Innovation and Research Park, increasing its research activities and space.

“Saros is advancing a next-generation immunotherapy platform designed to help the immune system recognize and attack cancers that do not respond well to today’s checkpoint inhibitors,” said Saros CEO Matt Britz. “Our formulation is designed to enhance immune activation, protect the drug in circulation, improve delivery into relevant immune cells and enable intravenous administration for systemic treatment of metastatic disease.”