FibroGenesis Reports Positive Data in Pancreatic, Breast Cancer Using Fibroblast-Based Immunotherapy

FibroGenesis announced new data supporting utilizing its fibroblast-based immunotherapy for successful inhibition and induction of regression in preclinical models of breast cancer and pancreatic cancer.

Company scientists successfully replicated the process by which cancer coaxes fibroblasts to support its growth. By manipulating these artificially generated "cancer-associated-fibroblasts (CAFs)", the Company was able to generate an immunotherapy that teaches the immune system to selectively kill only fibroblasts which help tumors to grow.

"Currently immunotherapy of cancer is achieving a lot of well-deserved attention, in part due to the Nobel Prize being awarded for its discovery, and its efficacy against more aggressive cancers," said Dr. Tom Ichim, Chief Scientific Officer, FibroGenesis. "We believe that we are the first to use the immune system to kill the supporting infrastructure cancer has developed for itself to allow for continued growth. In contrast to cancer cells, which are difficult for the immune system to recognize, cancer fibroblasts do not mutate and are in closer proximity to blood supply and lymphatics. Our data suggests by targeting CAFs we may indeed be developing a "universally acting" cancer immunotherapy."

FibroGenesis has filed intellectual property covering various fibroblast-based immunotherapies including: a) Cancer fibroblast immunotherapy; b) Fibroblast delivery of oncolytic viruses; c) Treatment of cancer cachexia with fibroblasts; and d) Chimeric antigen receptor expressing fibroblasts.

"Our ability to take fibroblast-based therapeutics from the science lab to clinical trials in an accelerated manner is driven by our expanding scientific base and understanding of fibroblasts," said Pete O'Heeron, President/CEO of FibroGenesis. "Our ability to rapidly initiate and complete trials is due to the focus of Dr. Ichim and his team in understanding the biological mechanisms which make fibroblasts superior to stem cells".