Lisata Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:LSTA) announced that it has started treatment of the first patient in the second-line cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cohort of its BOLSTER trial.
CCA, also known as bile duct cancer, has a five-year survival rate less than 5%, highlighting the urgent need for new and effective treatments.
The BOLSTER trial is a Phase 2a multi-center trial evaluating Lisata’s investigation drug certepetide in combination with standard-of-care treatments in patients with first- or second-line CCA.
Certepetide is an investigational drug that enhances the delivery and effectiveness of anti-cancer treatments by improving drug penetration in tumors and modifying the tumor microenvironment.
It has shown promising safety and efficacy in clinical trials and holds multiple designations, including Fast Track and Orphan Drug, for various cancers.
“Initiation of this cohort is based on the recommendation of investigators from our BOLSTER study’s first-line cholangiocarcinoma cohort to evaluate certepetide in patients who progressed after being treated with first-line standard-of-care therapy alone,” Lisata chief medical officer Dr Kristen Buck explained.
“We are excited to expand the evaluation of certepetide in this broadened cholangiocarcinoma population with the goal of improving outcomes for these patients in dire need.”
Investors welcomed the update, sending shares of Lisata almost 10% higher at US$3.20 on Tuesday afternoon.
- Updated with share price movement -