Secarna Pharmaceuticals to announce positive new data at cancer research conference

Ella Day | April 1, 2025 | News story | Research and Development |  Oncology, Secarna Pharmaceuticals, oncology, research and development 

Secarna Pharmaceuticals will present new preclinical data with its lead programme SECN-15 at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) taking place 25 to 30 April 2025 in Chicago, Illinois, US. Data will showcase SECN-15’s potential to significantly improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Secarna is a biopharma company which develops and redefines oligonucleotide therapeutics, seeking to improve treatments for a wide range of disorders.

SECN-15 is an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) targeting the transmembrane protein Neuropilin 1 (NRP1). The data will show the ability of SECN-15 to modulate the tumour microenvironment, demonstrating its potential to improve the effectiveness of ICIs. This is particularly in the case of solid tumours.

When treating mice with NRP1-specific ASOs, tumour growth was delayed and, in some cases, eradicated. Also, these ASOs were shown to strongly enhance the efficacy of ICIs.

Richard Klar, chief research officer at Secarna, commented: “We are excited to present the latest findings from our lead oncology programme SECN-15, an ASO targeting NRP1, at AACR. The data shows that SECN15 has the potential to strongly enhance the therapeutic impact of ICIs. This innovative approach could pave the way for more effective treatment options for patients with solid tumours, including gastric cancer, where checkpoint inhibitors have shown limited efficacy. We are preparing for first-in-human trials to further explore this promising therapeutic combination strategy.”

Secarna is currently in pre-IND studies with SECN-15. Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials are planned to start in the middle of 2026. Gastric cancer has been selected as the lead indication in the trials since ICI monotherapy treatment has shown limited activity there.

Ella Day
1/4/25