Dutch biotechnology firm Pan Cancer T has successfully secured €10 million in new financing to advance its innovative T-cell therapy for solid tumors. This funding will propel the company's lead candidate, PCT1:CO-STIM, into its first clinical trial for patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The investment signals strong confidence from both private investors and the Dutch government in the company's pioneering approach.
A Significant Financial Boost for Novel Cancer Therapy
The financing round is composed of €5 million from a consortium of existing investors, including Van Herk Ventures, Thuja Capital, Erasmus MC O&O Holdings, and InnovationQuarter. An additional €5 million was secured through an Innovation Credit loan from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. This capital infusion is crucial for funding the upcoming clinical trial and the associated manufacturing processes for the therapy.
Pioneering a New Approach for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Pan Cancer T's lead program, PCT1:CO-STIM, is a next-generation T-cell receptor (TCR) T cell therapy designed as an autologous treatment. It is engineered to recognize ROPN1, a novel target highly expressed in TNBC, and includes a unique co-stimulatory technology. This dual-action design aims to overcome the immune resistance often encountered in solid tumors, potentially delivering more durable responses.
The therapy specifically targets triple-negative breast cancer, a particularly aggressive form of the disease with severely limited treatment options. Patients facing metastatic TNBC have a grim prognosis, with a five-year survival rate of only approximately 12%. This urgent unmet medical need underscores the critical importance of developing novel and more effective treatments for this patient population.
Leadership and Investor Confidence
Rachel Abbott, Chief Executive Officer of Pan Cancer T, stated that the investment marks a pivotal moment for the company's mission to empower a patient's own immune cells. It facilitates the transition from preclinical validation to patient treatment, with a regulatory filing with the EMA planned for 2026. Abbott expressed deep gratitude for the strong support from investors and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.
Michel Briejer of Thuja Capital highlighted his firm's dedication to investing in innovative companies tackling oncology's greatest challenges. He noted that Pan Cancer T’s platform addresses the difficult-to-treat solid tumors that are a primary focus in the field. This backing reinforces the significant potential seen in the company's advanced cell and gene therapy technology.
Path to Clinical Validation
The forthcoming first-in-human trial is set to be conducted at leading cancer centers across the Netherlands. Its primary objectives are to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of PCT1:CO-STIM in patients diagnosed with TNBC. This study represents a critical step in validating the therapy's potential for broader clinical application and future development.
This €10 million financing round is a significant milestone for Pan Cancer T, enabling the clinical advancement of its promising cancer therapy. The development of PCT1:CO-STIM offers a new beacon of hope for patients with triple-negative breast cancer, a disease with few effective options. The upcoming clinical trial will be a crucial test of this innovative approach to harnessing the immune system against solid tumors.