Ernexa Therapeutics is building a pipeline of off-the-shelf, synthetic cell therapies designed to modulate the immune system and restore balance in the face of disease. Our lead candidate targets high-need areas in oncology with a focus on delivering powerful, tumor-targeted treatments that can scale.
Ovarian cancer remains the deadliest gynecologic cancer, with most cases diagnosed at an advanced stage. Additionally, an alarming 85% of patients experience recurrence after standard treatment. Despite advances in chemotherapy and targeted therapies, outcomes for patients with platinum-resistant disease remain poor, highlighting a major unmet need.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown limited success in ovarian cancer. This is likely due to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which blocks immune cell function and limits therapy effectiveness.
Ernexa Therapeutics’ lead program, ERNA-101, is designed to overcome these challenges by remodeling the tumor microenvironment to support a stronger immune response.
Our approach builds on the foundational work of world-renowned expert Michael Andreeff, M.D., Ph.D., from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Andreeff’s studies showed that engineered mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can successfully home to tumor sites, deliver immunostimulatory molecules, and reduce tumor burden in preclinical ovarian cancer models.
We believe this strategy, using engineered iMSCs to deliver targeted immune activation, represents a promising and scalable new path forward for patients with ovarian cancer.
References
ERNA-101 (IL7_IL15)
± Pembrolizumab + Bevacizumab
Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer
ERNA-101 (IL7_IL15)
+ TBD
Other Gynecological Cancer, Immunologically Cold Tumors
ERNA-101 (IL7_IL15)
+ Immunotherapies*
Immunologically ‘Cold’ Tumors
ERNA-102 (IL7_IL15 + IL15R); ERNA-103 (IL7_IL15 + CXCL9)
+ TBD
Solid Tumors
*Adoptive cell therapies with CAR-NK cells, CAR-Ts, TILs; T cell engagers (e.g. BiTEs); therapeutic vaccines and T cell checkpoints