Curadev Pharma Inc, an India-based clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel immuno-oncology therapeutics, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), a cancer research and treatment institution, are expanding their collaboration through the MSK Therapeutics Accelerator Program to advance the development of Curadev's small-molecule allosteric Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) agonist, CRD3874-SI, to be delivered systemically to patients with advanced/metastatic cancer.

Announcing the new agreement on Tuesday, Curadev said that it builds on the ongoing Phase 1a/b dose escalation and expansion clinical trial currently underway at MSK for sarcoma and Merkel cell carcinoma patients, and aims to explore the potential of CRD3874-SI in treating additional types of cancer.

Through the MSK Therapeutics Accelerator Program, MSK will provide Curadev with expertise and institutional resources, including medical, clinical and regulatory advice, to further the development of CRD3874-SI. This expanded collaboration is claimed to mark a significant milestone in translating promising STING pathway research into broader clinical application and will be overseen by William Tap, MD, chief of the Sarcoma Medical Oncology Service at MSK, and Ciara Kelly, MBBCh BAO, interim clinical director of MSK's Sarcoma Oncology Service.

Dr Tap said: "MSK and its Division of Solid Tumors are excited to co-develop CRD3874-SI, a novel first-in-class allosteric STING agonist, with Curadev. CRD3874-SI has demonstrated an encouraging safety and efficacy profile in a first-in-human study at MSK. CRD3874-SI is moving forward into multiple solid-tumour expansion cohorts, guided by disease specific experts and the support and structure of the MSK Accelerator Program, which is designed to enhance and expedite the development of novel compounds across malignancies. CRD3874-SI has the potential to offer patients a new treatment option with continued innovation and exploration of the benefits of immunotherapy in cancer care."