SunRock and the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology receive 1.8 million euros from the State Research Agency for the development of new antibodies in the treatment of ovarian cancer
Both entities are jointly participating in the OVERCAD project, which aims to develop a new effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of resistant ovarian cancer, focusing on an Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) targeting the CCR9 (Chemokine Receptor 9).
The Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, through the State R&D&I Program Focused on Societal Challenges of the State Research Agency (AEI), has selected the consortium formed by SunRock Biopharma, based at the Biopolo Sionlla in Santiago de Compostela and a member of the Cluster Tecnolóxico Empresarial das Ciencias da Vida (Bioga), and the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), as the beneficiary of a public-private collaboration project in the 2023 call, with a funding amount exceeding 1.8 million euros.
Both entities are jointly participating in the OVERCAD project, which aims to develop a new effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of resistant ovarian cancer, focused on an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting CCR9 (Chemokine Receptor 9). The goal: to improve therapeutic outcomes for this group of patients.
Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer among women worldwide and one of the gynecological cancers with the highest mortality rates. Despite advancements in recent years, treatment remains complex due to its frequent diagnosis at advanced stages and the resistance that patients have to conventional treatments. This highlights the urgent need to identify new therapeutic alternatives to improve treatment options and patient survival.
An effective and safe antibody
As part of the OVERCAD project, SunRock Biopharma will collaborate with VHIO to develop an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting the CCR9 receptor to accelerate the availability of a new, more effective, and safer therapy for ovarian cancer patients. This innovative antibody has shown strong antitumor efficacy and a promising safety profile in preclinical models, offering a therapeutic approach that not only improves the treatment of this type of cancer but also helps reduce side effects and minimize the development of resistance.
The consortium led by SunRock Biopharma and VHIO combines SunRock's expertise in the development of innovative therapeutic antibodies with the specialized knowledge of VHIO, represented by the Gynecological Neoplasms Group led by Dr. Ana Oaknin, who brings a solid track record in the development of new molecular and immunological therapies for the treatment of gynecological neoplasms, being one of the most cited researchers in her field worldwide. Additionally, the consortium includes the participation of the team led by Dr. Josep Villanueva, a researcher from the VHIO Proteomics Group, with extensive experience in the identification of tumor biomarkers for predicting response in patients. The results of the OVERCAD project will be of great significance for the upcoming clinical introduction of this new therapy focused on the treatment of ovarian cancer.