AOP Health New Cancer Trial
A new therapeutic approach to fight cancer
With the approval of its Phase-1 clinical trial SERONCO-1, AOP Health has reached another milestone in its growth story. To mark the start of the trial at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona AOP Health hosted a panel discussion in collaboration with the daily Austrian newspaper “Der Standard” to discuss the goals and perspectives of the trial, the collaboration between academia and industry and the need to find a good balance between the patients’ needs, the authorities’ requirements and the industry’s financial necessities. AOP Health will carry out this trial in collaboration with Leukos Biotech S.L. at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital.
The panel discussion was moderated by Marlene Erhart, Science Department at “Der Standard”. The panelists were Dr. Martin Steinhart, CEO AOP Health, Dr. Ruth Risueño, CSO Leukos Biotech S.L., Dr. Christoph Klade, CSO AOP Health, and Dr. Jenny Maouas, TA Director Hemato-Oncology AOP Health.
Watch the video here: Play
Cancer, and rare cancers in particular, represent a significant challenge for our society. Research and development are essential to provide innovative solutions to patients. A new research project in collaboration with the biotech company Leukos Biotech S.L. is investigating a substance that targets solid tumors and blood cancers at the root cause.
Research collaborations are key
Dr. Martin Steinhart, CEO AOP Health, opened the discussion pointing out the need to investigate new therapies and to work together in global networks:
We take this approach seriously and invest up to 25 million euros a year in research and development. This collaboration with Leukos marks a milestone in achieving this goal.
Find new approaches
Researching therapies for rare diseases is challenging as there is a need to find new approaches and to be creative. Dr. Ruth Risueño, CSO Leukos Biotech S.L., and her team wanted to find a new way to attack cancer stem cells as they are responsible for the initiation and maintenance of the tumor. Their work showed that a certain protein, the serotonin receptor, is key to this process. She stated:
We started looking for a molecule that could block the receptor. Since no suitable receptor blocker existed, we invented a new one.
This new compound is now being investigated in the SERONCO-1 trial. To drive the project forward, AOP Health and Leukos Biotech work together closely. The new drug candidate targets a known receptor on cancer stem cells which has not been in the center of attention in cancer therapy so far - making it a first-in-class approach in oncology. Pre-clinical data suggest it may have potential in several types of leukemia but also solid tumors like breast or lung cancer.
The Seronco trial starting in July 2024 is the first testing of the new compound in humans. We are excited that in future it may become a new hope for at least some cancer patients.”
Create solutions for unmet patient needs
The research and development of new therapies is a lengthy and risky process. For example, only one in twenty oncology research programs is successful. Development takes years and can require investments of millions of euros. Nevertheless, AOP Health is committed to rare disease research, driven by the commitment to find medical solutions for patients. Dr. Jenny Maouas, TA Director Hemato-Oncology AOP Health explained:
If we want to advance drug development, we need to find a balance between the patients’ unmet medical needs, regulatory requirements and economic necessities.
Additionally, we have to think ahead and assess how the scientific and medical landscape will change in the coming years and what the medical needs of the future will be.
With the current project, AOP Health and Leukos Biotech are striving for precisely this forward-looking approach, which is why all participants in the discussion welcomed the start of the trial and eagerly await its results.
AOP Health thanks the expert panel and all participants for joining and contributing to the lively discussion.
About AOP Health
The AOP Health Group incorporates several companies including AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals GmbH with its seat in Vienna, Austria (“AOP Health”). The AOP Health Group is the European pioneer for integrated therapies for rare diseases and in critical care. Over the past 25 years, the Group has become an established provider of integrated therapy solutions operating from its headquarters in Vienna, its subsidiaries and representative offices throughout Europe and the Middle East, as well as through partners worldwide. The claim “Needs. Science. Trust.” sums up the foundation of the Group’s success: establishing trust through a continually high level of investment in research and development and a highly consistent and pragmatic orientation towards the needs of all stakeholders – especially the patients and their families as well as the healthcare professionals treating them.
Press Contact
Mag. Nina Roth, MAS
Head of Corporate Communications
nina.roth[at]aop-health.com