Press Release
Celdara Medical, LLC today announced that the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I award to fund the company’s proof of concept studies on a new platform to improve chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells efficacy to treat solid tumors.
Dr. Joana Murad-Mabaera, who leads this effort, stated, “CAR T-based cellular products have been very effective against liquid tumors. However, the impact on solid tumors has been far below the expectations set in hematologic malignancies, largely due to the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment. This approach, with Dr. Huang, supports and protects CAR T cells in this environment and ultimately improves their efficacy in solid cancers. This is a major unmet need.”
Dr. Jake Reder, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Celdara Medical, added, “Celdara has been innovating in the CAR T space longer than just about any other company, and we’ve collaborated with leading academicians and public companies to bring those innovations to patients. This work will advance a platform with the potential help many more solid tumor patients become responders, and ultimately, survivors. This is our mission and our passion.”
Dr. Yina Huang, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine and Dartmouth Cancer Center, stated, “We are truly excited for this opportunity to partner with Celdara Medical to expand CAR T cell treatment to patients with solid tumors. Generally, academics like me disseminate our research through publications, but NIH small business grants allow us to continue to advance our discoveries towards improving patient health by working directly with research and business experts in biotech.”
Research reported in this press release is supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award number RCA271880A. The content is solely the responsibility of Celdara Medical and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
About Celdara Medical, LLC
Celdara Medical was founded by Drs. Jake Reder and Michael Fanger in 2008 and is headquartered at the Dartmouth Regional Technology Center (DRTC) in Lebanon, NH. Celdara Medical builds academic and early-stage innovations into high-potential medical companies, identifying discoveries of exceptional value at the earliest stages and moving them toward the market. Celdara Medical partners with inventors and their institutions, providing the developmental, financial, and business acumen required to bridge discovery and profitability. With robust funding options, a diverse and high impact Programmatic pipeline, and partnerships with world-class academic institutions and industry leaders, Celdara Medical navigates all aspects of a complex industry, accelerating science to improve human health. Further information about Celdara Medical is available at celdaramedical.com.