STAb Therapeutics

STAb Therapeutics, established in Madrid, Spain in 2022, operates as a clinical-stage biotechnology firm focused on developing immunotherapies for hard-to-treat cancers. The company originated as a spin-off from the Research Institute of Hospital 12 de Octubre (H12O), building upon the research of the Immuno-oncology and Immunotherapy Unit led by Dr. Luis Alvarez-Vallina. Dr. Alvarez-Vallina and Dr. Belén Blanco are the main co-founders, whose work at H12O/CNIO and the ISCIII Center of Advanced Therapies laid the company's scientific foundation. The CEO, Dr. Carolina Pola, contributes extensive experience in early-stage biotech business development.

The core of STAb Therapeutics' business is its proprietary STAb-T cell therapy platform, which aims to treat both solid and hematological tumors. This technology involves genetically engineering a patient's own T-cells to function as "fully human factories" that produce and secrete bispecific T-cell engagers (TCEs) directly within the body. These TCEs act as bridges, connecting the engineered STAb-T cells and the patient's existing bystander T-cells to tumor cells, thereby orchestrating a targeted, polyclonal immune attack. This method combines principles of adoptive cell therapy and bispecific antibodies, designed to achieve sustained, effective concentrations of the therapeutic agent, create a reservoir of memory T-cells to prevent relapse, and enhance antitumor responses. The company's business model is centered on the research, development, and eventual commercialization of these therapies to provide new treatment options for oncologists and their patients.

The company's lead product, STAb-19, is a cell therapy developed for relapsed or refractory CD19-positive B-cell malignancies. The therapeutic potential of the STAb-T platform has been preclinically validated in B-cell and T-cell hematological malignancies as well as in non-small cell lung cancer models. The company has received support from the CRIS Cancer Foundation and grants from entities like the Consejería de Educación, Ciencia y Universidades and CDTI. Its Scientific Advisory Board includes prominent clinician-scientists such as Dr. Luis Paz-Ares, Dr. Joaquín Martínez, and Dr. Richard Vile from the Mayo Clinic.

Keywords: immuno-oncology, cell therapy, T-cell engagers, bispecific antibodies, cancer immunotherapy, adoptive cell therapy, hematological tumors, solid tumors, STAb-T therapy, genetic engineering, Luis Alvarez-Vallina, Belén Blanco, Carolina Pola, Hospital 12 de Octubre, oncology, biotechnology, drug discovery, T-cell redirection, clinical-stage, B-cell malignancies, lung cancer, preclinical validation