VEL-03: a new treatment approach for lung cancer and other solid tumors
Official title: VEL-03: IND-enabling development of a novel therapeutic approach for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumors
Funded at Velorum Therapeutics INC. · NIH-11345350 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new drug candidate called VEL-03 aims to slow or stop the growth of non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumors by targeting cancer cell metabolism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Velorum Therapeutics INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Plano, United States) |
| Project start | June 3, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,258,345 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA291444-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11345350 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with non-small cell lung cancer or other solid tumors who may participate in future combination studies and IND-enabling work.
✕Less likely to help
This early-stage program may not benefit patients if the therapy does not demonstrate safety or efficacy in trials.
What this research studies
This program develops VEL-03, a first‑in‑class therapy that sequesters heme to disrupt cancer cell growth. It plans to test VEL-03 together with radiation and Cisplatin, to see if combining treatments improves cancer control. The project also includes manufacturing work to prepare for IND-enabling studies and animal-toxicology tests to identify safe dosing. The goal is to advance toward a phase II/IND pathway, bringing a potential new option to patients with hard-to-treat cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with NSCLC and other solid tumors could gain a new treatment option that works with existing therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior cancer metabolism-targeting approaches have shown preclinical activity and potential synergy with radiation, though this specific approach is novel and at an early stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Velorum Therapeutics INC.
Plano, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Showalter, Richard Edward — Velorum Therapeutics INC.
- Study coordinator: Showalter, Richard Edward
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Developing a new treatment for non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumors
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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.