Imagine a tiny, harmless biological 'delivery truck' that can travel deep into the lungs. This project uses a modified bacterium to carry immune-boosting proteins directly to tumors that are normally invisible to the body's defenses. By turning these 'cold' tumors 'hot', it helps existing cancer drugs work much better.
Many lung cancer patients are resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors because their tumors are 'cold' and invisible to the immune system. There is a critical need for a way to activate these tumors locally without causing systemic toxicity.
An engineered non-pathogenic strain of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (PB_LC) that secretes immunomodulators (IL2, IL12, and Flt3L) via inhalation.
If you are a drug developer dealing with patients who are resistant to PD-1/PD-L1 therapies — this project developed a live biotherapeutic that triggers local immune activation to make tumors more responsive to your existing drugs.
If you are a biotech company dealing with the high systemic toxicity of immune-stimulating proteins — this project developed a programmable bacterial chassis that delivers payloads locally via inhalation to reduce side effects.
If you are a clinic dealing with advanced NSCLC patients who have failed standard treatments — this project developed a candidate product, PB_LC, designed to rescue 'cold' tumors and improve patient survival outcomes.
Based on available project data, specific pricing or cost-per-dose information is not provided.
The project objectives specifically include establishing manufacturing and formulation processes that meet GMP standards to prepare for commercial exploitation.
The project aims to advance market preparation to license the PB_LC product to reach the market.
The project is developing analytical methods for replication and biodistribution in vivo, which are critical regulatory requirements for live biotherapeutic products.
The project runs until 2025-08-31, with the goal of paving the way for first-in-human clinical trials.
The project is led by a single Spanish SME, Pulmobiotics SL, which is a spin-off from an ERC PoC project. With a 100% industry ratio and a single partner, the consortium is lean and focused on rapid commercial translation rather than academic research, utilizing a total EU contribution of EUR 1,881,875.
Contact Pulmobiotics SL in Spain regarding the PB_LC candidate
Contact us to explore licensing opportunities for this bacterial drug-delivery platform.
