HOUSTON, TEXAS — A new Houston-based biotechnology company, Sentinel BioTherapeutics, is making significant strides in the fight against hard-to-treat solid tumors with its innovative approach: developing cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) capsules. The company, recently debuted by venture creation studio RBL LLC, aims to revolutionize cancer immunotherapy for patients who have not responded positively to traditional treatments.
Sentinel BioTherapeutics' groundbreaking research focuses on delivering IL-2, a powerful immune-activating cytokine, in a targeted capsule format. This method seeks to address a long-standing challenge with IL-2 therapy, which has often been limited by severe systemic side effects when administered intravenously. By encapsulating the cytokine, Sentinel aims to deliver the therapeutic agent directly to the tumor site or peritoneal cavity, where many hard-to-treat cancers reside, minimizing off-target toxicity while maximizing immune activation.
The science behind Sentinel BioTherapeutics builds upon years of research by Omid Veiseh, a professor of bioengineering and faculty director of the Rice Biotech Launch Pad (RBLP). Veiseh and Paul Wotton, now RBL’s CEO and chairman of Sentinel, had previously invested substantial capital through a defunct company, Avenge Bio, into this promising discovery. Despite Avenge Bio's operational challenges, the underlying preclinical and early clinical data from its 14 human patients showed remarkable promise, revealing a dose-dependent immune activation and specific upregulation of checkpoints on T cells.
Rima Chakrabarti, CEO of Sentinel BioTherapeutics and co-founder/managing partner of RBL, emphasizes that the scientific efficacy of the drug was never in doubt. "When we analyzed the data [from Avenge Bio], we saw this dose-dependent immune activation, very specific upregulation of checkpoints on T cells. We came to understand how effective this agent could be as an immune priming agent," Chakrabarti stated. This novel understanding positions Sentinel to develop a pipeline of drugs utilizing this platform.
The company's initial focus for upcoming Phase II trials will continue with ovarian cancer, where prior research showed promise. However, Chakrabarti believes the IL-2 capsules also hold significant potential for treating endometrial cancer and other cancers located within the peritoneal cavity, such as colorectal cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and primary peritoneal carcinomatosis. The localized delivery into the peritoneal cavity has shown strong safety signals and immune activation, addressing a critical need for therapies that are both effective and well-tolerated.
Sentinel's future endeavors are tied to successful fundraising efforts, with Phase II trials expected to be led by Amir Jazaeri at MD Anderson Cancer Center, a leading institution in cancer research. A key goal for the coming months is also to establish an automated cell manufacturing process and demonstrate long-term product storage capabilities, crucial steps for scaling up production and ensuring widespread availability of this innovative therapy.
This development from Houston's burgeoning biotech hub represents a significant leap in cancer treatment, offering a potential new avenue for patients battling aggressive and resistant forms of the disease. By transforming how powerful immunotherapies like IL-2 are delivered, Sentinel BioTherapeutics aims to improve patient outcomes and reshape the landscape of oncology.
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