Lisata Therapeutics Inc earlier this week discussed the potential of certepetide in antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) applications through a new collaboration with Catalent.
The company told investors that it entered a research license agreement with Catalent to evaluate certepetide as a payload in SMARTag dual-payload ADCs. Under the agreement, Catalent will cover research and development expenses, while Lisata will offer consulting support and receive an upfront payment along with potential future milestone payments.
Certepetide is a cyclic non-amino acid peptide designed to bind to receptors commonly found on solid tumors. Once bound, it transforms to activate a transport mechanism that enhances the penetration of circulating anti-cancer therapies. The company said the peptide works independently of the therapy it is paired with and has shown a benign safety profile.
Lisata highlighted that ADCs are increasingly seen as a precise method of delivering cytotoxic drugs to tumors, reducing harm to healthy tissue. Dr. Kristen Buck, Lisata's chief medical officer, said the combination of certepetide with ADCs could enhance drug delivery and reduce immunosuppression in the tumor environment.
The company expects initial data from the collaboration before the end of the second quarter of 2025. It said that positive results could strengthen its collaboration with Catalent.