Creating new drugs to treat metastatic colorectal cancer

Development of SUMO1 small molecule degraders as the first-in-class anticancerdrugs for metastatic colorectal cancer

NIH-funded research Hb Therapeutics, INC. · NIH-10651880

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 typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHb Therapeutics, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Indianapolis, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10651880 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer who have not responded to existing therapies.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage colorectal cancer or those whose cancer has not metastasized may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Indianapolis, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Anti-Cancer AgentsCancer DrugNeoplastic Disease Chemotherapeutic Agentsanti-cancer druganticancer agent
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.