Lantern Pharma (NASDAQ:LTRN) said it has formed a wholly-owned subsidiary called Starlight Therapeutics to focus exclusively on developing therapies for central nervous system (CNS) and brain cancers.
Starlight will develop drug candidate LP-184’s for CNS and brain cancer – including glioblastoma (GBM), brain metastases, and certain rare pediatric CNS cancers.
Starlight will call the molecule LP-184, as it is developed in CNS indications as STAR-001, the company added.
“Additionally, establishing Starlight as a wholly-owned subsidiary will increase the potential to partner with other biopharma companies who are looking to develop a franchise in CNS cancers and to further accelerate the progression of STAR-001 towards changing patient outcomes in this devastating set of diseases.” said Lantern’s CEO and President Panna Sharma.
The company noted that STAR-001 had previously received the FDA’s orphan drug designations (ODD) for malignant gliomas (including GBM) and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRT). STAR-001 had also received a rare pediatric disease designation for ATRT.
In mid-2023, Lantern expects to start a phase 1A basket trial of LP-184 (STAR-001), in solid tumors including: recurrent brain cancers (including GBM and HGGs), metastatic CNS cancers (brain metastases), pancreatic cancer, and solid tumors with DDR deficiencies.