London startup to trial drug to prevent cancer therapy side-effect ‘cytokine storm’

A London-based startup, Poolbeg Pharma, is set to trial a new drug in six NHS hospitals that could prevent a dangerous side-effect of cancer immunotherapy. The oral drug, POLB 001, aims to stop patients from developing cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a condition where the immune system goes into overdrive and attacks the body, potentially leading to organ damage.

This trial is particularly significant for blood cancer patients, as CRS is a common and severe complication of their treatment. By preventing this overreaction, Poolbeg Pharma hopes to make immunotherapy a safer treatment option. The company has stated that the drug could make treatment for blood cancer safer.

In addition to its work on CRS, Poolbeg Pharma is also developing a GLP-1 weight loss pill, indicating a broader focus on therapeutic innovations. The trial of POLB 001 in NHS hospitals marks a crucial step in potentially improving patient outcomes for those undergoing cancer immunotherapy.