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Lever Bio In-licenses a Novel Sema3A superagonist from Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS to Advance it through Preclinical Development and towards Clinical Translation

  • Immagine del redattore: Lever Bio
    Lever Bio
  • 20 giu
  • Tempo di lettura: 2 min

Turin, 20th June 2025 – Lever Bio, a biotech company at the forefront of immuno-oncology innovation, announces an in-licensing agreement with Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS (Fondazione del Piemonte per l’Oncologia - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) to advance the development of LVB-001, a novel Semaphorin-3A (Sema3A) superagonist. This agreement grants Lever Bio exclusive rights to develop and commercialize LVB-001, leveraging the expertise of Professor Guido Serini, full Professor of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Turin and head of the Cell Adhesion Dynamics laboratory at Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, and Professor Enrico Giraudo, full Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Turin and head of the Tumor Microenvironment laboratory at Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, both leading researchers in tumor biology, angiogenesis, and immune regulation.


Checkpoint inhibitors have transformed cancer treatment, yet a significant percentage of patients with solid tumors — especially those with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) — fail to respond. Studies indicate that over 80% of PDAC patients exhibit primary or acquired resistance to checkpoint inhibitors due to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and poor immune cell infiltration. LVB-001 aims to overcome these barriers by targeting the tumor microenvironment to enhance immune responses and improve therapeutic efficacy.


LVB-001 is a first-in-class biologic therapy designed to modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME) by targeting angiogenesis, immune infiltration, and tumor progression through a potent Sema3A superagonist.


Professors Serini and Giraudo bring extensive expertise in tumor vascular biology and immune regulation and the collaboration between their labs and the company will focus on preclinical validation and the exploration of therapeutic applications for solid tumors.


“We are thrilled to collaborate with Professors Serini and Giraudo and the esteemed research teams at FPO-IRCCS,” said Chiara Donini, Project Manager at Lever Bio. “Their deep knowledge of tumor microenvironment dynamics is invaluable in shaping the development of LVB-001 as a novel immuno-oncology therapy. We look forward to jointly advancing this promising asset toward clinical translation.”


“We strongly believe in the potential of LVB-001 to reshape the treatment landscape for solid tumors, particularly in tumors such as PDAC, where therapeutic options remain limited,” said Professor Anna Sapino, Scientific Director at Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS. “Collaborating with Lever Bio allows us to translate our research on Semaphorin-3A biology into a therapeutic opportunity that could address one of the most challenging aspects of cancer immunotherapy.”


This in-licensing agreement represents a significant step forward in Lever Bio’s commitment to pioneering next-generation immuno-oncology treatments, leveraging innovative approaches to reprogram the tumor microenvironment and expanding its pipeline of innovative biologics.


Contacts:


Lever Bio

Lever Bio is a biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation immuno-oncology therapies. By leveraging metabolic and immune system reprogramming, the company aims to overcome resistance to existing cancer treatments, particularly in solid tumors. Through strategic in-licensing agreements and collaborations with leading research institutions, Lever Bio is dedicated to advancing novel biologics to improve patient outcomes.


Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS

The Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS is a premier cancer research and treatment center in Italy, dedicated to improving cancer care through scientific excellence and clinical innovation. Recognized as a leading Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), it integrates basic and translational research to advance precision oncology and novel therapeutic strategies.

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