Grant for Anti-Corcoran-M
Russia will create the world's first gene therapy drug for cancer treatment
The Interdepartmental Working group on the implementation of the National Technology Initiative (NTI) approved the allocation of a grant of 125 million rubles for the development of the world's first gene therapy drug for the treatment of cancer. This was announced on Wednesday by the press service of the Russian Venture Company (RVC).
"The interdepartmental working group on the implementation of the NTI approved the support of the project on the development of a gene therapy antitumor drug "AntioncoRAN-M" within the framework of the roadmap of the NTI "Helsnet". During the project, it is planned to develop and market the world's first non–viral gene therapy drug for the treatment of cancer, which will improve the effectiveness and safety of treatment of cancer patients," the report says.
It is noted that the NTI project support fund will allocate a grant of 125 million rubles to AntioncoRAN-M, and in case of successful completion of the first stage, investments in the authorized capital are planned. At the expense of NTI funds, as noted in the press service, it is planned to complete preclinical studies of the drug and conduct clinical studies of phase I-III (there are four such phases in total). The drug is planned to be put on the market after 2025.
AntioncoRAN-M, developed by the biotech company Gene Surgery LLC, implements an approach to cancer gene therapy, which consists in delivering so-called killer genes to the tumor, the product of which destroys cancer cells. As well as the delivery of an immunostimulator gene, the protein of which activates the antitumor immune response, resulting in the suppression of the process of the appearance of metastases. The process takes place inside the tumor, which reduces its toxicity to normal tissues and organs.
The drug can be used to treat cancer of the head and neck, rectum, cervix, sarcoma and other types of solid tumors. It differs from other gene therapy antitumor drugs available on the market and in clinical trials by the simplicity and cheapness of production, as well as low immunogenicity and toxicity. According to the developers, they expect to receive permission for clinical trials from the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation in 2021.
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