Cellestia Biotech is pioneering innovative therapeutics based on novel modes of action to treat autoimmune diseases and multi-drug resistant cancers. Our clinical stage drug candidate, CB-103, has demonstrated both safety and biological activity in humans. Along with ongoing Phase 2 IITs for multi-drug resistant cancers, CB-103 is also poised to enter a Proof-of-Concept clinical study for graft-versus-host disease (GvHD).
Our leading compound, CB-103, specifically targets CSL-NOTCH transcription complex. There is compelling genetic and pharmacological validation for involvement of CSL- NOTCH transcription complex in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (AIID) through regulation of Treg cells, T effector cells and cytokine. Furthermore, CB-103 has exhibited proof-of-concept efficacy in animal models for graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis.
Similarly in human cancers, activation of CSL-NOTCH transcription complex due to gain of function mutations in NOTCH receptors is known to impinge on several hallmarks of cancer (such as proliferation, evading cell death, promoting metastasis and drug resistance).
Despite importance of this signalling cascade in human diseases, clinical development of NOTCH inhibitors had been impeded due to severe dose limiting toxicities. Cellestia’s approach has proven to overcome these dose limiting toxicities and thereby holds the potential to address both the multi-billion-dollar oncology and autoimmune markets.
With an Investigational New Drug (IND) approval in place, CB-103 is ready to proceed to Proof-of-Concept clinical studies for GvHD, paving the way for subsequent registrational trials in GvHD prophylaxis. Additionally, our Phase 2 trials have successfully treated patients with multi-drug resistant cancers, demonstrating CB-103’s efficacy in challenging therapeutic scenarios.
In parallel, we are closely following the clinical candidate with a range of pre-clinical candidates for chronic autoimmune indications such as psoriasis, Sjogren’s syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and giant cell arteritis. These pre-clinical candidates are on track to enter IND-enabling studies and anticipate entering First-in-Human (FIH) studies within the next 12-18 months.
History
Based on more than 10 years of academic research led by the company’s CEO, Rajwinder Lehal, Cellestia was founded in 2014 as spin-off from the prestigious Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), based at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), a world-renowned centre of excellence in Switzerland. Originally incubated at ISREC, today Cellestia has established its independent research facilities at Biopôle in Lausanne and in close proximity to Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Swiss Cancer Center Léman, Le Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois (CHUV), and University of Lausanne and EPFL. In addition, multiple international research collaborations have been established.
History
2008
Transcription Factors Inhibitors Research starts with Raj Lehal’s doctoral thesis
2012
First patent application filed
2014
Foundation of Cellestia in Lausanne
2015
Michael Bauer joins
and the HQ move to Basel
2016
• CB-103 development begins
• First series financing and team expansion
2017
• IND filed
• Mode of action identified
2018
• Start of Clinical Development in Oncology
• Series A completed
2019
• Safety and Efficacy Data
• Series B completed
2020
Clinical Proof of Concept CB-103
2021
• Start of Phase II Oncology
• Global Expansion of Development Program CB-103
Clinical & Research Collaboration
Cellestia has established a global clinical development and research collaboration with Europe, US and Asia.
