Cancer Targeted Technology (CTT), a Seattle-based biotechnology company focused on cancer diagnostics and therapies, announced that the National Cancer Institute has awarded the Phase I portion ($400K) of a fast-track Phase I/II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to support the development of CTT2274, a novel drug for metastatic prostate cancer. The total grant amount is $2.4 million.
CTT2274 is a promising prodrug that targets Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA), a biomarker over-expressed in prostate cancer cells, especially in metastatic and castrate-resistant stages. The drug is designed to deliver a potent cytotoxic agent, MMAE, directly to the cancer cells. CTT’s proprietary phosphoramidate-based technology binds irreversibly to PSMA, enhancing the uptake and internalization of the drug, leading to greater therapeutic efficacy while minimizing off-target effects.
Preclinical studies in mice with human prostate tumors have demonstrated that CTT2274 can achieve tumor remission and extend survival, with favorable safety profiles. The prodrug’s ability to release MMAE selectively within tumor cells ensures effective treatment while reducing side effects typically associated with chemotherapy.
Under the Phase I portion of the grant, CTT will conduct additional non-clinical efficacy studies and optimize the manufacturing process, with plans to complete this phase by Q2 2025. Phase II, slated for completion in Q2 2026, will focus on further manufacturing and safety assessments, culminating in an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to support clinical trials in metastatic prostate cancer scheduled for 2026.
Dr. Beatrice Langton-Webster, CEO of CTT and Principal Investigator on the grant, commented, “CTT2274’s unique structure and mechanism enable it to target tumors precisely while minimizing chemotherapy-related side effects. No other prodrug like this is being developed for prostate cancer, and we believe CTT2274 holds significant potential as a future treatment for men battling this disease.”
