The appointment gives PTX a world-leading development team in the race to find solutions for next-generation CAR-T cancer therapies. Image: Source supplied
Health & Biotech
The appointment gives PTX a world-leading development team in the race to find solutions for next-generation CAR-T cancer therapies.
Clinical stage oncology company Prescient Therapeutics (ASX:PTX) has announced a major new staff hire this morning, with the appointment of leading cancer expert Donald M. O’Rourke, MD, to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).
Commenting on his partnership with PTX, O’Rourke highlighted that CAR-T therapies have demonstrated early promise in finding improved treatment solutions for GMB.
However, they still must overcome “several unique challenges that the disease presents”.
“I am especially excited to see how OmniCAR’s control and ability to target multiple cancer antigens can address these challenges in GBM,” O’Rourke said.
A tenured professor in the department of Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania, O’Rourke specialises in GBM, the most aggressive form of brain cancer.
Along with his professorial duties, O’Rourke is also director of the GBM Translational Center of Excellence in Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center.
He has an extensive research background in therapies for the treatment of GBM.
More recently, he led the first in-human clinical trial using CAR-T cells for treatment of recurrent GBM. His research team has also completed a separate clinical trial for patients with newly-diagnosed GBM, using a combination of CAR-T cells and PD-1 inhibitors.
In joining the company, O’Rourke said he was particularly excited to assist in the work PTX is doing with CAR-T therapy solutions.
As well as in-house CAR-T solutions, Prescient is developing the OmniCAR licensing platform for next-generation CAR-T therapies in multiple cancers; Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML); Her2+ solid tumours (including breast, ovarian and gastric cancers) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).
Prescient CEO Steven Yatomi-Clarke said O’Rourke’s appointment marks an important step as the company looks to build a solution that addresses existing challenges which other CAR-T solutions have been unable to overcome.
O’Rourke will join Professor Phil Darcy and renowned haematologist and researcher Professor H. Miles Prince, AM, on Prescient’s Strategic Advisory Board.
The appointment marks another key step forward for PTX’s go-to market strategy, following a strong quarterly trading update where it detailed the ongoing trials of its in-house cancer fighting drugs — PTX-100 and PTX-200 – and the ongoing development of the OmniCAR platform.
Prescient CEO and MD Steven Yatomi-Clarke will be holding an investor briefing next Wednesday 25th August at 11am where he will discuss this news and provide a company update. Click here to register for the session.
This article was developed in collaboration with Prescient Therapeutics, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
Health & Biotech
Health & Biotech
Health & Biotech
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