Clinical Trial Investor

Ozanimod The Science Ozanimod is an immunomodulatory drug developed by Celgene that is currently in Phase III clinical trials for the conditions of relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (RMS) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Multiple Sclerosis is a condition in which the bodies immune system attacks myelin, a substance designed to protect neurons and help nerve signals travel quickly around the nervous system. This strips the myelin from the neurons and leaves scars known as lesions or plaques. This damage disrupts messages travelling along nerve fibres – they can slow down, become distorted, or not get through at all. Immune cells (Lymphocytes) contain a receptor called a sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor. When S1P interacts with this receptor, it causes the egress of Lymphocytes from the thymus and Lymph nodes into lymphatic vessels, from there it can reach the CNS. The drug acts as a S1P receptor agonist, meaning it binds to the receptor and produces a biological response. In...

BB2121 The Science BB2121 is an anti-BCMA chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy currently being investigated by Celgene and Bluebird Bio to primarily treat Multiple Myeloma patients. Multiple Myeloma cells express B-Cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA) on their surface, BB2121 is a T cell that has been engineered to add the chimeric antigen receptor protein that is specific to BCMA. BCMA is a cell surface protein that is involved in the differentiation and maturation of B-cells into plasma cells. BCMA is very common on Myeloma and plasma cells but is under expressed on B Lymphocytes, meaning it is a promising target for investigational treatments. The receptor is chimeric as it combines antigen-binding and T-cell activating functions into a single receptor. BB2121 has two intracellular domains, one involved in signalling and one to increase the proliferation, persistence and activation of the T cell. T-cells (or Lymphocytes) are produced by the immune system and are ...

CAVATAK The Science CAVATAK or Coxsackievirus A21 (CVA21) is an immuno-oncolytic therapy manufactured by Viralytics Ltd currently being investigated in a number of Phase I and II trials.  The idea of infecting cancer cells with viruses is not new, infact it originated over a century ago. Viruses have been found to show certain affinities which predispose them to infect certain cell types. Their main mode of action is through infiltration and replication within the tumour mass leading to oncolysis or bursting of the cancer cells. CAVATAK's mechanism of action is through the required binding of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and optional binding of decay accelerating factor (DAF) on the cancer cells surface.  ICAM-1 and DAF receptors are over expressed on malignant cells surfaces in comparison to normal cells. This has been demonstrated in melanoma, breast, colon, endometrial, head and neck, pancreatic, and lung cancers so far. After attaching to ICAM-1 or...