Abilitypharma's Ibrilatazarwill be tested for the first time in pediatric neuroblastoma as part of the 8.5 million-euro european phoenix project

The Catalan biotech company AbilityPharma, developer of the drug ibrilatazar (ABTL0812), is participating as a key partner in PHOENIX, a consortium of 13 institutions from 6 European countries that officially launched in Barcelona on June 16 and 17.

Coordinated by the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) and funded with 8.5 million euros by the EU’s Cancer Mission under Horizon Europe, the project will evaluate this oral drug in pediatric patients for the first time.

Pediatric solid tumors, such as neuroblastoma, remain one of the leading causes of childhood cancer mortality. More than 6,000 cases are diagnosed each year in Europe, of which about 1,000 are considered high-risk and have very limited treatment options.

Ibrilatazar differs from conventional chemotherapy: instead of damaging DNA, it activates natural cellular mechanisms that selectively induce self-destruction (autophagy) in tumor cells, while preserving healthy tissue. The drug has already demonstrated good tolerability and efficacy in Phase 2 trials for pancreatic, lung, and endometrial cancer in adults, as well as promising results in preclinical models of neuroblastoma.

“This mechanism opens up a new therapeutic avenue with potential applications in various types of tumors, including pediatric cancers,” explains Carles Domènech, PhD, CEO and co-founder of AbilityPharma. “Collaborating with VHIR on this academic trial is an opportunity to move toward safer cancer therapies for children and adolescents.”

The clinical trial, scheduled for 2027, will include approximately 50 patients recruited from 15 centers in 5 participating countries. As a consortium partner, AbilityPharma will provide the investigational drug, adapt its formulation by developing an oral suspension specifically for pediatric use, and support regulatory activities.