ARMIDA LABS, INC. — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase I: 102

ARMIDA LABS, INC. — SBIR Phase I award from Department of Health and Human Services.

Amount
$400,000
Agency
Department of Health and Human Services · National Institutes of Health
Program / Phase
SBIR · Phase I
Topic
102
Solicitation
PA22-176
NAICS
Place of performance
CA
Period
2023-09-14 → 2024-08-31

Description

ABSTRACT We intend to devise a novel therapeutic strategy based on a specific cancer cell receptor named EphA2, which is abundant on the surface of metastatic pancreatic cancers. Over the past several years our studies focused on testing the anti-cancer potential of agents targeting the receptor in suppressing cell migration and invasion in cellular studies, as well as in inhibiting tumor metastases using in vivo models. Very recently we have derived the most effective agonistic agent reported to date that potently targets the EphA2 receptor and causes its degradation. In preliminary studies, the agent is remarkably effective in inhibiting pancreatic cancer cell migration. The agent also causes the internalization of the receptor; hence we intend to probe whether we can use this agent also to deliver chemotherapy selectively to pancreatic tumors.