Creating new drugs to treat metastatic colorectal cancer
Official title: Development of SUMO1 small molecule degraders as the first-in-class anticancerdrugs for metastatic colorectal cancer
Funded at Hb Therapeutics, INC. · NIH-10651880 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new type of medicine that targets a specific protein to help treat metastatic colorectal cancer, which currently has limited treatment options, and they’re testing a promising compound that could be taken as a pill to see how well it works.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hb Therapeutics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $979,536 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA265547-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10651880 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer who have not responded to existing therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage colorectal cancer or those whose cancer has not metastasized may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative small-molecule drugs that target a specific protein, SUMO1, to treat metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), which currently has no effective therapies. The researchers have already identified a promising compound that selectively degrades SUMO1 in cancer cells while sparing normal cells. They will further optimize this compound to enhance its effectiveness and ensure it can be taken orally. The project involves testing these compounds in advanced cancer models to evaluate their potential as a new treatment option.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a groundbreaking new treatment for patients suffering from metastatic colorectal cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of targeting SUMO1 is innovative, similar strategies in cancer treatment have shown promise in other contexts, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Hb Therapeutics, INC.
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bellail, Anita — Hb Therapeutics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Bellail, Anita
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.