Australian biotech Arovella Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:ALA) has assembled a Clinical Advisory Board (CAB) boasting three key opinion leaders and clinical oncologists in preparation for a key US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) meeting.
Blood cancer trial on horizon
The CAB will provide expert clinical insight and strategic advice focusing on CD19-positive haematological malignancies (blood cancers), as the company looks to file its investigational new drug (IND) application and start its first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial.
The members that will be appointed to Arovella’s CAB are:
- Dr Salvatore Fiorenza, deputy director and cell therapy lead at Epworth Healthcare;
- Professor Sattva Neelapu, Professor and deputy chair at the Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; and
- Dr Debora Barton, a medical oncologist who is also currently a non-executive director at Arovella.
The company has hand-picked this select group by virtue of their experience working with cell therapies in early-stage clinical trials.
High-calibre oncologists
Arovella CEO and managing director Dr Michael Baker said: “We are thrilled to have such high-calibre clinical oncologists willing to join our Clinical Advisory Board and help us on our journey to advance our novel cell therapy platform into clinic.
“We look forward to working with them to guide our programs and help patients in need of new and effective treatment options.”
Dr Salvatore Fiorenza is a consultant haematologist and deputy director at Epworth Healthcare, Melbourne, where he leads cell therapy initiatives.
He is also a senior postdoctoral research scientist at the University of Sydney.
Key figure in CAR-T cell therapy
With a PhD in cellular immunotherapy, Dr Fiorenza has been a key figure in advancing CAR-T cell therapies in Australia, focusing on treatments for blood cancers like lymphoma.
Dr Fiorenza’s work has been critical in establishing Epworth Healthcare as a leading centre for CAR-T therapy and he has contributed significantly to clinical trials and treatment protocols aimed at improving outcomes for patients with relapsed or refractory blood cancers.
He also chairs the Clinical Advisory Board at Arovella Therapeutics, helping to guide the company’s innovative cancer treatment programs.
Dr Sattva Neelapu is a Professor and deputy chair at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, known for his pioneering contributions to immunotherapy, especially CAR-T therapies.
300 peer-reviewed publications
He led clinical trials that resulted in the FDA approval of axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta), a breakthrough treatment for relapsed large B-cell lymphoma.
Dr Neelapu has authored more than 300 peer-reviewed publications and is recognised as a leader in the field of immuno-oncology.
His research continues to influence cancer treatment and he remains a key figure in developing new therapies for haematologic malignancies.
Dr Debora Barton is an experienced oncologist and former chief medical officer for several biotech companies focused on cell therapies.
Crucial role at Arovella
She has led clinical trials from early human testing through to phase 3, ensuring the safe integration of cutting-edge treatments like Arovella’s CAR-iNKT platform into cancer care.
Currently a non-executive director at Arovella Therapeutics, Dr Barton plays a crucial role in guiding the company’s cell therapy programs.
Her expertise in immunotherapy and haematologic oncology continues to drive advancements in innovative cancer treatments.