Xenetic Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ:XBIO) is excited to announce that it has entered into an innovative Research Funding and Option Agreement with The Scripps Research Institute to advance the development of its systemic DNase program and DNase-armored CAR T program.
The systemic DNase program is expected to be evaluated in combination with existing therapies for the potential treatment of pancreatic carcinoma and other hard-to-treat solid tumor indications. This groundbreaking collaboration is a major milestone for Xenetic, as it has the potential to create powerful new therapies for cancer patients.
Xenetic’s DNase-based oncology platform offers a unique solution to combat the potentially harmful effects of neutrophil extracellular traps (“NETs”). Excessive production and reduced clearance of NETs can lead to serious issues such as aggravated inflammatory and autoimmune pathologies, as well as pro-tumorigenic niches in the case of cancer.
NETs are composed of extracellular chromatin coated with histones and other proteins, and are expelled by activated neutrophils in response to microbial or pro-inflammatory challenges. By targeting NETs, Xenetic’s platform is designed to provide an effective way to reduce these negative effects, and to ultimately improve response to therapy.
We are delighted to announce the expansion of our partnership with Scripps through an agreement to develop our DNase-based oncology platform. We are confident that their experienced team will provide invaluable input and generate vital data in our preclinical development program, helping us move closer to clinical trials and bring much needed therapies for pancreatic cancer and other locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors. We look forward to working with Scripps on this cutting-edge platform technology.
Under the Scripps Research agreement, Xenetic not only has the chance to build on its existing intellectual property, but also has the exclusive option to acquire an exclusive license to any new intellectual property arising from the DNase research program.
Xenetic is actively working towards its first-in-human study to evaluate DNase in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors or chemotherapy, in the hopes of producing successful results.
About Scripps Research
Scripps Research, a leading independent, nonprofit biomedical institute, is changing the world through its groundbreaking discoveries and their impact on medical innovation. Located in sunny La Jolla, California, and Jupiter, Florida, it is making waves in the medical community with its relentless pursuit of improved human health.
At Calibr, the drug discovery and development division of Scripps Research, we are dedicated to bringing new medicines to patients in the most efficient and effective way possible. Our scientists have joined forces with experts across different disciplines to develop breakthrough treatments that can help those in need.
Additionally, our teams at the Scripps Research Translational Institute are deploying the most advanced genomics, digital medicine, and informatics technologies to understand individual health and provide better care. We are committed to making a real difference in people’s lives.
Scripps Research is committed to educating the next generation of scientists with its Skaggs Graduate School, ranked among the top 10 U.S. programs for chemistry and biological sciences. It provides students with the opportunity to gain invaluable knowledge and experience that will help them become leaders in the field.
About Xenetic Biosciences
Xenetic Biosciences, Inc. is a pioneering biopharmaceutical company devoted to developing innovative immune-oncology treatments for treating even the most challenging forms of cancer.
Through its innovative DNase platform, the Company is working to improve the efficacy of existing cancer treatments, such as immunotherapies, by targeting neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which have been identified as key contributors to cancer progression and drug resistance.
Xenetic is currently focused on taking its systemic DNase program into clinical trials as an adjunct therapy for pancreatic carcinoma and other locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors.
XCART™, our personalized CAR T platform technology, is revolutionizing the fight against B-Cell lymphomas. With the power of personalized cell-based therapeutics, XCART™ targets the unique B-Cell receptor on the surface of an individual patient’s malignant tumor cells, offering a new hope in the fight against this devastating disease.