Bio-Path Holdings Announces Collaboration With Thomas Jefferson University


Bio-Path Holdings, Inc. recently announced it has entered into a sponsored research agreement with Thomas Jefferson University to investigate DNAbilize antisense DNA technology for the development of a brain cancer immunotherapy that works by activating the patient’s own immune system to fight their cancer.

D. Craig Hooper, PhD, Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University and the Principal Investigator of the study, previously evaluated Bio-Path’s DNAbilize liposomal delivery and antisense technology in preclinical studies that demonstrated efficacy, suggesting the potential for a systemic antisense immunotherapy for brain cancers. The objective of the collaboration is to demonstrate that DNAbilize delivered systemically would have an effect in redirecting the immune system to fight a patient’s own cancer.

“Brain cancers, such as glioblastoma, are very aggressive and with median survival of about 15 months, novel treatments are urgently needed,” said Peter Nielsen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bio-Path. “We are excited to continue our work with Dr. Hooper to further demonstrate the potential of DNAbilize to safely and systemically deliver a brain cancer immunotherapy. We are entering the immunotherapy market with a unique approach to triggering the immune system to fight a patient’s cancer. This collaboration offers a significant development opportunity for Bio-Path that has the potential to create a second technology platform of immunotherapy products.”

Bio-Path is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutic products utilizing DNAbilize™, its proprietary liposomal delivery and antisense technology, to systemically distribute nucleic acid drugs throughout the human body with a simple intravenous transfusion. Bio-Path’s lead product candidate, BP1001 (Liposomal Grb2 antisense), is in a Phase II study for blood cancers and in preclinical studies for solid tumors. Bio-Path’s second drug candidate, also a liposomal antisense drug, is ready for the clinic, where it will be evaluated in lymphoma and solid tumors. For more information, visit www.biopathholdings.com.