Key facts
- Poolbeg Pharma is initiating a clinical trial for its drug POLB 001.
- The drug is designed to prevent cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a severe side-effect of cancer immunotherapy.
- The trial will take place at six NHS hospitals in Britain.
- Approximately 70% of patients undergoing certain immunotherapies experience CRS.
- POLB 001 aims to reduce healthcare costs by enabling treatment outside of specialized cancer centers.
- Poolbeg estimates the market for this drug could reach $10 billion.
A London-based startup, Poolbeg Pharma, is set to begin a clinical trial for its oral drug, POLB 001, at six NHS hospitals. The drug is intended to prevent cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a potentially life-threatening side-effect of cancer immunotherapy where the immune system overreacts and attacks the body, potentially causing organ damage.
The trial will involve 30 patients who are undergoing treatment with Johnson & Johnson's blood cancer medication teclistamab. This initiative is led by the University of Manchester and the Christie NHS Foundation Trust. Poolbeg's CEO, Jeremy Skillington, highlighted that current immunotherapies, while effective, carry the risk of CRS, necessitating treatment in dedicated cancer hospitals. This often requires patients, especially those in rural areas, to travel to major cities.
Approximately 70% of patients receiving immunotherapies from various major pharmaceutical companies develop CRS, which can manifest with fever and increased heart rate, potentially requiring intensive care. Currently, there is no approved preventative therapy for CRS. Poolbeg's POLB 001, acquired from Spain's Palau Pharma and originally developed for chronic inflammation, works by inhibiting a specific cell signaling pathway. Interim trial data is anticipated by the end of the summer.
Poolbeg estimates that by 2031, about half a million people diagnosed with multiple myeloma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the US and five major European countries will receive immunotherapy. The company believes POLB 001 could significantly reduce healthcare costs by allowing patients to receive care in community hospitals rather than specialized centers, potentially saving health systems millions and enabling more patients to be treated. Skillington projects a market value of $10 billion for the drug, based on a potential price of $20,000 per treatment.
In parallel, Poolbeg is developing a GLP-1 weight loss pill with Irish company AnaBio Technologies, with an early-stage trial planned for later this year. Poolbeg Pharma was established in July 2021, spun out from the clinical research organization hVIVO, and raised £25 million upon listing on the London Stock Exchange's Aim market. Skillington noted the ongoing pressure on the NHS, stating that reducing this burden is a primary goal.