· Press Release

Innovative cancer treatment receives major EU funding

Start-up EMUNO Therapeutics receives €2.5 million EIC Transition Grant

Cancers such as advanced colorectal cancer are a major challenge for medicine. The start-up company  EMUNO Therapeutics GmbH, a spin-off of the University Medical Center Freiburg and the University of Freiburg, is working on the fundamentals for the future clinical application of a new substance to support the immune system in the fight against cancer. The company has now been awarded an EIC Transition Grant of around 2.5 million euros for this project. The funding will enable the further development of EMT-224, which was developed by Prof. Dr. Olaf Groß and his research group at the Institute of Neuropathology at the University Medical Center Freiburg. Key support for drug screening stage of the project came from CIBSS.

"The award is a big step for our team," said Dr. Emilia Neuwirt, who is CEO of EMUNO Therapeutics, pharmacist, and former CIBSS doctoral researcher in Prof. Groß’s research group. "Our compound EMT-224 has shown in preclinical studies the potential to become an important building block in the fight against advanced colorectal cancer. We now need to carefully develop the initial results and work towards a possible clinical application".

New approach to difficult-to-treat tumours


Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. While modern immunotherapies have improved the treatment of some cancers, many patients with advanced colorectal cancer do not respond to treatment. This is because their tumours are 'cold' - meaning they evade the immune system. The compound EMT-224 could help make these tumours 'hot' so that the immune system can better fight them.

The IMMUNOCON project is now investigating the safety and efficacy of EMT-224 in preclinical models. One focus is on preparing for clinical trials and producing the drug under strict standards to make it ready for the market.

"This award for our spin-off EMUNO Therapeutics is an excellent example of the progress that can be made by closely combining cutting-edge research and entrepreneurial commitment," said Prof. Dr. Frederik Wenz, Medical Director and Chairman of the Board of the University Medical Center Freiburg.

EIC Transition Grant


The EIC Transition Grant supports the further development of scientific findings into promising technologies. The aim is to transfer research results from the laboratory to real-world applications, while at the same time creating the economic basis for commercial success.

 

CIBSS profile Prof. Dr. Olaf Groß

CIBSS profile Dr. Emilia Neuwirt

Original press release University Medical Center Freiburg

Press Release of the European Innovation Council