Nagy Habib

Imperial College London, UK

Title: Small activating RNA: From concept to phase II clinical trials

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Biography

Nagy is Head of Surgery at the Hammersmith Campus of Imperial College London. Currently, he is driving the development of an saRNA drug which is being trialed in patients with liver cancer (OUTREACH study, ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT02716012), a second trial in patients with solid tumours (TIMEPOINT study, ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT 04105335) and OUTREACH2 study, which is a randomised phase II follow-on study in patient with viral HCC (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT 04710641). Previously, he was Pro-Rector for Commercial Affairs at Imperial College London. He was appointed to this position because of his experience attracting inward investment from industry and pharma, encouraging collaboration between the diverse departments at the university, and enabling commercialisation (spin out companies) via the Tech Transfer Office. He has published widely in gene therapy, stem cell therapy, oligonucleotides, surgery.

Abstract

Small activating RNAs (saRNA) are double stranded 21 nucleotide RNA that either target promoters or enhance genes leading to mRNA upregulation. saRNAs can be delivered with liposomes into the systemic circulation or subcutaneously by conjugation with aptamers or GalNAC. MTL-CEBPA is an investigative drug that resulted from the conjugation of saRNA CEBPA with NOV 340 lipsomes that targets tumour associated macrophages in order to alter favourably the tumour microenvironment. The relevance of the technology is that it can deliver transcription factors to the bone marrow CD34+ cells and that the effect lasts at least 6 weeks in vivo. MTL-CEBPA has been administered safely in over 130 patients with advanced cancer and improved clinical outcome in a sub-set of patients when co-administered with TKI or check point inhibitor. Clinical outcomes will also be presented.