Duo Oncology Founder Awarded NCI Grant
Duo Oncology founder, Dr. Song Li, receives $2M grant to further develop ultrasmall chemo-immunotherapy nanomedicines for pancreatic cancer.
PITTSBURGH (PRWEB) April 17, 2023 – Dr. Song Li, Duo Oncology founder and inventor, was recently awarded over $2 million dollars in grant support from the National Cancer Institute. This award will support his project, entitled “Combination Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer”, whose goal is to further characterize and investigate novel ultrasmall nanomedicines that combine chemotherapy and immunotherapy agents.
The novel, ultrasmall nanomedicine under investigation induces anti-cancer effects through direct cytotoxic activity, stimulation of anti-tumor immunity, and by blocking the recruitment immunosuppressive immune cells to the tumor microenvironment. Dr. Li’s research compliments Duo Oncology’s product pipeline, which already includes the first such high drug-loading chemo-immunomodulatory nanomedicine.
Proposed studies at the Li Lab will expand our knowledge around the safety and function of ultrasmall chemo-immunotherapy nanomedicines. Dr. Li and his laboratory will work to characterize these new ultrasmall nanoparticles with respect to their biophysical and in vitro biological properties as well as define the biodistribution and tumor penetration in murine and human pancreatic cancer models. Enhanced biodegradability is a key feature of his investigative polymer conjugated gemcitabine prodrug (PGEMi) that self-assembles into ultrasmall micelles and is expected to have an improved safety profile. Additional studies will evaluate the bioavailability and activity of, the chemokine receptor type 2 antagonist (CCR2a), in tumor tissue. Lastly, they will investigate the toxicity profile and test the therapeutic efficacy of PGEMi/CCR2a nanoparticles in numerous pancreatic cancer models.
“Duo Oncology is thrilled that Dr. Li will continue research with his ultrasmall nanomedicines,” said Dr. Sam Rothstein, “pancreatic cancer care is in desperate need of more effective treatments and nanomedicines represent one of the most promising approaches to effectively address this disease. Dr. Li and the entire Duo team continue to think creatively about the development of nanomedicines that will effectively engage the patient’s own immune system and turn ‘cold’ tumors ‘hot’.”
Duo Oncology is continuing in its mission to transform the treatment landscape for patients with stroma-rich cancers. Stromal tissue forms a barrier to standard or large nanomedicines that limits therapy and shortens patient survival. Duo’s ultrasmall nanomedicines effectively penetrate this barrier, carrying potent small molecule combinations to growing cancer cells.
For more information about Duo Oncology and their ongoing nanomedicine development programs, visit DuoOncology.com.
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About Duo Oncology: Duo Oncology’s mission is to redefine the treatment landscape for patients with stroma-rich tumors. The company develops high-potency nanomedicines that penetrate through a tumor's stromal tissue to reach growing cancer cells and extend the lives of, or even cure, cancer patients. Duo’s core innovation is a patent pending chemistry that ties together self-assembling DNA-like bases with environmentally sensitive linkers to form ultrasmall nanomedicines, which carry potent combination payloads all the way to growing cancer cells deep within tumors. The company’s lead nanomedicine (DUO-207, now in IND-enabling studies) treats solid tumors that respond to paclitaxel or gemcitabine therapy, such as pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma. By using known active drug chemistries, DUO-207 offers a streamlined, de-risked development pathway that allows it to begin helping patients years sooner than bespoke therapies. Additional pipeline products use novel active agents to create powerful immunotherapies and precision medicines.
Duo Oncology media contact:
Sam Rothstein, Cofounder and CEO
Email: srothstein@DuoOncology.com
