Research We Fund
With hundreds of projects currently underway, we fund scientists through our academic grant programs and biotech partners through our strategic venture philanthropy initiative. Use the filters below to find an LLS-funded project.
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Kymera Therapeutics, INC
TAP Partner
Watertown, MassachusettsA phase 1 study of KT-253, a MDM2 protein degrader, in patients with AML
In March 2020, LLS made an equity investment in Kymera Therapeutics to "Support Studies with Protein Degraders for Development in Hematological Patients."
Kymera Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded with the mission to discover, develop, and commercialize transformative therapies while leading the evolution of targeted protein degradation, a transformative new approach to address previously intractable disease targets. Whereas most targeted therapies inhibit or inactivate the proteins or genes that drive the cancer, targeted protein degradation harnesses the body’s natural system of ridding itself of unwanted, “old” or “broken” components of cells.
KT-253 is a MDM2 protein degrader and is enrolling AML patients in a Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT05775406).
Program: Therapy Acceleration ProgramProject Term: Start Date: March 11, 2020 End Date: April 26, 2024
ImCheck Therapeutics, SAS
TAP Partner
MarseilleA phase 2 expansion study of ICT01, an anti-BTN3A monoclonal antibody, in combination with azacitidine and venetoclax in patients with AML
In June 2022, LLS made an equity investment in ImCheck Therapeutics to "Support Clinical Development of the ICT01 Program for Blood Cancer Indications."
ImCheck Therapeutics is designing and developing a new generation of immunotherapeutic antibodies targeting butyrophilins, a novel super-family of immunomodulators.
ICT01 is a humanized, anti-BTN3A (also known as CD277) monoclonal antibody that selectively activates γ9δ2 T cells, which are part of the innate immune system that is responsible for immunosurveillance of malignancy and infections. The EVICTION study is currently enrolling a Phase 2 cohort expansion of ICT01 in combination with azacitidine and venetoclax in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (NCT04243499).
Program: Therapy Acceleration ProgramProject Term: Start Date: June 13, 2022 End Date: April 26, 2024
Caribou Biosciences, INC
TAP Partner
Berkeley, CaliforniaA phase 1 study of CB-012, a CRISPR-edited allogeneic CAR-T targeting CLL1, in patients with acute myeloid leukemia
In February 2021, LLS made an equity investment in Caribou Biosciences to "Support allogeneic CD371 (CLL-1) CAR development for acute myeloid leukemia."
Caribou is a clinical-stage biotechnology company, co-founded by CRISPR pioneer and Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna, Ph.D., using next-generation CRISPR genome-editing technology to develop “off-the-shelf” (allogeneic) CAR therapies for hard-to-treat blood cancers.
CB-012, an allogeneic CLL1 CAR-T cell therapy engineered with five genome edits, is the first allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy with both checkpoint disruption through a PD-1 knockout, and immune cloaking. The IND has been cleared by the FDA and a Phase 1 clinical trial for patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia is expected to begin in mid-2024.
Program: Therapy Acceleration Program
Project Term: Start Date: February 28, 2021 End Date: April 26, 2024
Kura Oncology, INC
TAP Partner
San Diego, CaliforniaA phase 2 registration-directed clinical study of ziftomenib (KO-539), a menin inhibitor, in patients with NPM1-mutant relapsed or refractory AML
Starting in July 2010, LLS TAP supported a promising University of Michigan research project led by Jolanta Grembecka, PhD, to develop new treatments for patients with a rare and lethal subtype of leukemia. Through TAP, LLS engaged chemists to improve the properties that produced lead compounds that exhibited potent anti-leukemic activity. In 2014, LLS introduced Kura Oncology to the project that ultimately led to Kura Oncology completing a licensing agreement with the University of Michigan to continue to develop these molecules.
Kura Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to realizing the promise of precision medicines for the treatment of cancer with a pipeline that consists of small molecule drug candidates that target cancer signaling pathways.
Ziftomenib (KO-539) is selective small molecule inhibitor of menin. Ziftomenib is currently in a Phase 2 registration-directed clinical trial in patients with NPM1-mutant relapsed or refractory AML (NCT04067336).
Program: Therapy Acceleration ProgramProject Term: Start Date: December 22, 2014 End Date: April 26, 2024
Immune-Onc Therapeutics, INC
TAP Partner
Palo Alto, CaliforniaA phase 1 expansion study of IO-202, an antibody targeting LILRB4, in combination with azacitidine in patients with monocytic differentiation AML and CMML
In March 2021, LLS made an equity investment in Immune-Onc Therapeutics to support the "Phase 1 Clinical Development of IO-202, An Antibody Targeting LILRB4, for the Treatment of AML with Monocytic Differentiation and CMML."
Immune-Onc is a private, clinical-stage cancer immunotherapy company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel myeloid checkpoint inhibitors for cancer patients. The company aims to translate unique scientific insights in myeloid cell biology and immune inhibitory receptors to discover and develop first-in-class biotherapeutics that reverse immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment. Immune-Onc has a differentiated pipeline with a current focus on targeting the Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor subfamily B (LILRB) of myeloid checkpoints. The company’s work builds on early research by Chengcheng (Alec) Zhang, Ph.D. at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center that was also funded by LLS grants.
IO-202 is a first-in-class antibody targeting the LILRB4 and has entered a phase 1 cohort expansion clinical trial (NCT0437243) for the treatment of AML (IO-202 in combination with azacitidine) and CMML (IO-202 in combination with azacitidine).
Program: Therapy Acceleration ProgramProject Term: Start Date: March 5, 2021 End Date: April 26, 2024
Ryvu Therapeutics, SA
TAP Partner
KrakowA phase 1b study of RVU120, a novel CDK8 inhibitor, in patients with AML or high-risk MDS
In August 2017, LLS TAP partnered with Ryvu Therapeutics (formerly known as Selvita) to support "A Phase Ib Study of SEL120 in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia or High-risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome."
Ryvu Therapeutics is a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company focusing on novel small molecule therapies that address emerging targets in oncology using a proprietary discovery engine platform.
RVU120 (SEL120) is a highly selective first-in-class CDK8/CDK19 small molecule inhibitor. RVU120 is currently in a Phase I clinical trial in patients with acute myeloid leukemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (NCT04021368), enrolling in the US and Poland.
Program: Therapy Acceleration ProgramProject Term: Start Date: August 7, 2017 End Date: December 31, 2023