Glioma

STOCKHOLM, May 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At this week's ESTRO conference in Vienna, RaySearch Laboratories AB (publ) and Vision RT proudly announces the next step in their collaboration: the full integration of MapRT with RayStation®* treatment planning system. This integration enables full access to the MapRT clearance map in RayStation to guide the user during treatment planning in choosing beam trajectories clear from collisions between the treatment unit, patient and couch. During CT simulation, MapRT cameras capture the entire surface of the patient, along with any immobilization accessories. The MapRT software then analyzes this data, alongside models of the treatment couch and machine, to identify safe gantry and couch angles which are represented by a clearance map that is immediately accessible in RayStation. The integration is designed to optimize beam options for better plans and minimize the need for dry runs. This is particularly important for treatment plans where the couch is rotated. Recent studies have demonstrated that non-coplanar treatments can significantly improve treatment plans for several cancers, including lung1,2,3,4, breast5,6,7,8, head and neck cancers9,10,11,12,13, lymphoma14,15, and high-grade glioma16. These treatments can offer clinically relevant benefits, such as improved organ-at-risk dose sparing. Helen Convery, Senior Dosimetrist (Development & Clinical Trials), who has tested the integration, says: "We have used MapRT at Raigmore Hospital since 2022 and have found it invaluable for checking for collision on all plans and optimizing non-coplanar plan angles. I think the integration into RayStation is of significant value and I can see it further streamlining and improving the efficiency of our workflow." Thomas Carter, VP of Marketing, Vision RT, adds: "We are already seeing clinics changing their planning techniques, allowing their patients to benefit from the extra beam options MapRT provides. This integration has the potential to streamline workflows, reduce errors, and free up resources, all while improving treatment predictability. It also opens the path for automated, collision-free planning." Björn Hårdemark, Deputy CEO, RaySearch: "Surface scanning is an excellent source of information about the most central aspect of radiation therapy – the patient. The tight integration between MapRT and RayStation makes this information available already during treatment planning, allowing the user to explore more creative beam configurations while maintaining clearance around the patient. It is a great example of how clinical benefit can be achieved through collaboration between radiation therapy technology vendors." MapRT is approved for CE marking and clinical distribution in the EU and UK. A version without the API is currently cleared for sale in the USA, with API version 510(k) pending. About Vision RT Vision RT is the inventor of Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) which uses camera systems to track surface data, to offer more guidance across every step of the radiotherapy workflow: simulation, planning, treatment and dose visualization. We work tirelessly to improve the accuracy, efficiency, safety and comfort of radiation therapy. Vision RT is part of the William Demant Invest (WDI) family, a leading Danish Medtech investor with a long-term investment perspective. The companies in WDI employ more than 21,000 people. About RaySearch RaySearch Laboratories AB (publ) is a medical technology company that develops innovative software solutions for improved cancer treatment. RaySearch markets the RayStation®* treatment planning system (TPS) and the oncology information system (OIS) RayCare®*. The most recent additions to the RaySearch product line are RayIntelligence® and RayCommand®*. RayIntelligence is an oncology analytics system (OAS) which enables cancer clinics to collect, structure and analyze data. RayCommand, a treatment control system (TCS), is designed to link the treatment machine and the treatment planning and oncology information systems. RaySearch's software has been sold to over 1,100 clinics in 47 countries. The company was founded in 2000 as a spin-off from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and the share has been listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since 2003. More information is available at raysearchlabs.com. About RayStation RayStation®* is a flexible, innovative treatment planning system, chosen by many leading cancer centers worldwide. It combines unique features such as unmatched adaptive therapy capabilities, multi-criteria optimization, market-leading algorithms for treatment plan optimization for HDR brachytherapy and external beam therapy with photons, electrons, and protons, as well as helium and carbon ions. RayStation supports a wide range of treatment machines, providing one control center for all treatment planning needs and ensuring centers get greater value from existing equipment. RayStation also seamlessly integrates with RayCare®*. By harmonizing the treatment planning, the care of cancer patients worldwide is improved. * Subject to regulatory clearance in some markets. For more information, please contact: Johan Löf, founder and CEO, RaySearch Laboratories AB (publ) Telephone: +46 (0) 8 510 530 00 [email protected]  Learn more about us on: LinkedIn YouTube [1] Ma M, Ren W, Li M, Niu C, Dai J. Dosimetric comparison of coplanar and non-coplanar beam arrangements for radiotherapy of patients with lung cancer: A meta-analysis. J Appl Clin Med Phys. 2021 Apr;22(4):34-43. doi: 10.1002/acm2.13197. Epub 2021 Feb 26. PMID: 33634946; PMCID: PMC8035566. [2] Kim ST, An HJ, Kim JI, Yoo JR, Kim HJ, Park JM. Non-coplanar VMAT plans for lung SABR to reduce dose to the heart: a planning study. Br J Radiol. 2020 Jan;93(1105):20190596. doi: 10.1259/bjr.20190596. Epub 2019 Oct 22. PMID: 31625759; PMCID: PMC6948076. [3] Lincoln JD, MacDonald RL, Syme A, Thomas CG. Static couch non-coplanar arc selection optimization for lung SBRT treatment planning. Phys Med Biol. 2023 Jul 21;68(15). doi: 10.1088/1361-6560/ace23f. PMID: 37369237. [4]Chapet O, Khodri M, Jalade P, N'guyen D, Flandin I, D'hombres A, Romestaing P, Mornex F. Potential benefits of using non-coplanar field and intensity modulated radiation therapy to preserve the heart in irradiation of lung tumors in the middle and lower lobes. Radiother Oncol. 2006 Sep;80(3):333-40. doi: 10.1016/j.radonc.2006.07.009. Epub 2006 Aug 24. PMID: 16934354. [5] J, F., et al. (2023). Locoregional breast radiotherapy including IMN: optimizing the dose distribution using an automated non-coplanar VMAT-technique. Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden), [online] 62(10). doi:. [6] Xu, Y., Ma, P., Hu, Z., Tian, Y., Men, K., Wang, S., Xu, Y. and Dai, J. (2021). Non-coplanar volumetric modulated arc therapy for locoregional radiotherapy of left-sided breast cancer including internal mammary nodes. Radiology and Oncology, 55(4), pp.499–507. doi:. [7] A, B., et al. (2023). Dosimetric Comparision of Coplanar versus Non-coplanar Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy for Treatment of Bilateral Breast Cancers. Journal of medical physics, [online] 48(3). doi:. [8] Biau J, Lopez L, Thivat E, Casile M, Millardet C, Saroul N, Pham-Dang N, Molnar I, Bourhis J, Lapeyre M. Postoperative SBRT in the treatment of early-stage oropharyngeal and oral cavity cancers with high-risk margins: A dosimetric comparison of volumetric modulated arc therapy with or without non-coplanar arcs and acute toxicity outcomes from the STEREOPOSTOP GORTEC 2017-03 phase 2 trial. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol. 2022 Nov 14;38:169-174. doi: 10.1016/j.ctro.2022.11.07. PMID: 36466746; PMCID: PMC9712819. [9]Woods KE, Ma TM, Cook KA, Morris ED, Gao Y, Sheng K, Kishan AU, Hegde JV, Felix C, Basehart V, Narahara K, Shen Z, Tenn S, Steinberg ML, Chin RK, Cao M. A Prospective Phase II Study of Automated Non-Coplanar VMAT for Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer: Initial Report of Feasibility, Safety, and Patient-Reported Outcomes. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Feb 14;14(4):939. doi: 10.3390/cancers14040939. PMID: 35205686; PMCID: PMC8870161. [10] Gayen S, Kombathula SH, Manna S, Varshney S, Pareek P. Dosimetric comparison of coplanar and non-coplanar volumetric-modulated arc therapy in head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy. Radiat Oncol J. 2020 Jun;38(2):138-147. doi: 10.3857/roj.2020.00143. Epub 2020 May 26. PMID: 33012157; PMCID: PMC7533406. [11] Gayen S, Kombathula SH, Manna S, Varshney S, Pareek P. Dosimetric comparison of coplanar and non-coplanar volumetric-modulated arc therapy in head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy. Radiat Oncol J. 2020 Jun;38(2):138-147. doi: 10.3857/roj.2020.00143. Epub 2020 May 26. PMID: 33012157; PMCID: PMC7533406. [12] Subramanian VS, Subramani V, Chilukuri S, Kathirvel M, Arun G, Swamy ST, Subramanian K, Fogliata A, Cozzi L. Multi-isocentric 4π volumetric-modulated arc therapy approach for head and neck cancer. J Appl Clin Med Phys. 2017 Sep;18(5):293-300. doi: 10.1002/acm2.12164. Epub 2017 Aug 20. PMID: 28834021; PMCID: PMC5874945. [13] Wild, E., Bangert, M., Nill, S. and Oelfke, U. (2015). Non-coplanar VMAT for nasopharyngeal tumors: Plan quality versus treatment time. Medical Physics, 42(5), pp.2157–2168. doi:. [14] Rossi L, Cambraia Lopes P, Marques Leitão J, Janus C, van de Pol M, Breedveld S, Penninkhof J, Heijmen BJM. On the Importance of Individualized, Non-Coplanar Beam Configurations in Mediastinal Lymphoma Radiotherapy, Optimized With Automated Planning. Front Oncol. 2021 Apr 15;11:619929. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.619929. PMID: 33937025; PMCID: PMC8082440. [15] Chen X, Jin D, Wang S, Li M, Huang P, Dai J. Non-coplanar intensity-modulated radiation therapy for young female patients with mediastinal lymphoma. J Appl Clin Med Phys. 2012 Nov 8;13(6):3769. doi: 10.1120/jacmp.v13i6.3769. PMID: 23149772; PMCID: PMC5718536. [16] Yu VY, Landers A, Woods K, Nguyen D, Cao M, Du D, Chin RK, Sheng K, Kaprealian TB. A Prospective 4π Radiation Therapy Clinical Study in Recurrent High-Grade Glioma Patients. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2018 May 1;101(1):144-151. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2018.01.048. Epub 2018 Jan 31. PMID: 29619962. This information was brought to you by Cision The following files are available for download: SOURCE RaySearch Laboratories WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

TARRYTOWN, N.Y., May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sapience Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of peptide therapeutics to address oncogenic and immune dysregulation that drive cancer, today announced that data from its Phase 2 clinical trial of lucicebtide (formerly known as ST101), a first-in-class antagonist of C/EBPβ, in patients with glioblastoma will be featured during an oral presentation at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, taking place May 30-June 3, 2025, in Chicago and online. Presentation Details: Title: "Use of lucicebtide (ST101) in glioblastoma patients by antagonism of C/EBPβ-dependent mesenchymal cell transition and immunosuppressive M2 macrophage polarization" Abstract Number: 2016 Session Type and Title: Rapid Oral Abstract – Central Nervous System Tumors Session Date and Time: Saturday, May 31, 2025, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm CDT Presenting Author: Fabio M. Iwamoto, MD, Division of Neuro-Oncology, New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center More information can be found on the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting website. About Lucicebtide (formerly known as ST101) Lucicebtide, a first-in-class antagonist of C/EBPβ, has completed the main portion of a Phase 2 dose expansion study in recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM) (NCT04478279). An ongoing window-of-opportunity sub-study is evaluating lucicebtide in combination with radiation and temozolomide in patients with newly diagnosed GBM (ndGBM) and as a monotherapy in patients with rGBM, with patients receiving ST101 before and after surgical resection in both cohorts. ST101 has been granted Fast Track designation for rGBM from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) and orphan designations for glioma from the U.S. FDA and the European Commission. About Sapience Therapeutics Sapience Therapeutics, Inc. is a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing peptide therapeutics to address oncogenic and immune dysregulation that drive cancer. With in-house discovery capabilities, Sapience has built a pipeline of therapeutic candidates called SPEARs™ (Stabilized Peptides Engineered Against Regulation) that disrupt intracellular protein-protein interactions, enabling targeting of transcription factors which have traditionally been considered undruggable. Sapience can also direct cargo to cell surface targets with their new class of molecule called SPARCs™ (Stabilized Peptides Against Receptors on Cancer), enabling delivery of radioisotope payloads such as α-particles to cancer cells. Sapience is advancing its lead programs, lucicebtide (formerly known as ST101), a first-in-class antagonist of C/EBPβ, and ST316, a first-in-class antagonist of β-catenin, through Phase 2 clinical trials. For more information on Sapience Therapeutics, please visit and engage with us on LinkedIn. SOURCE Sapience Therapeutics, Inc WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

Biotechnology startups usually turn to a few tried-and-true options to raise the money they need to develop a new drug. Company founders might get initial financial help from friends, family or an angel investor. Perhaps theyll apply for grant funding or a spot in a startup accelerator. More often than not, theyll then rely on venture funding to survive.Siren Biotechnology, a San Francisco-based gene therapy startup, has already done some of that work. The company received a $4 million grant as well as $28 million in venture funding since its founding in 2020, and has the support of a few well-known firms like Founders Fund and Lux Capital.Recently, though, Siren began testing a different idea to supplement its fundraising: the type of community investment round often employed by tech startups but rarely their biotech counterparts.Last month, Siren announced plans to pursue whats known as regulation crowdfunding, a financial tool that involves selling equity stakes to accredited investors who meet specific Securities and Exchange Commission income and net worth criteria, as well as non-accredited individuals who dont. The SEC allows companies to use this approach to raise up to $5 million over a one-year period through an online, agency-registered intermediary, such as a funding portal. Siren is using a platform called WeFunder.The amount Siren seeks represents a fraction of the typically hundreds of millions if not more that biotech companies need to bring a drug to market. However, CEO and scientific founder Nicole Paulk views the idea as a creative way to attract different types of investors.The scientist in me is just like, We're going to run this experiment and see if it works, she said in an interview.Siren Biotechnology CEO Nicole Paulk.Permission granted by Siren BiotechnologySiren is developing a kind of medicine that blends elements of gene therapy and cancer immunotherapy. Its using a type of virus to send into tumors engineered versions of cancer-fighting cytokines. The companys lead program, for an aggressive form of brain cancer called high-grade glioma, is in preclinical testing. Siren aims to ask regulators around the end of the year to start human testing, according to Paulk.Biotechs in Sirens mold have had a difficult time of late raising funds for these experiments. Venture firms have coalesced around fewer but larger bets, leading a spike in $100 million-plus megarounds and a preference for more proven drug startups. Gene and cell therapy developers have been hit particularly hard during this shift, with funding totals falling significantly from their peak a few years ago.Paulk says the investment climate didnt factor into Sirens decision to pursue crowdfunding. Nonetheless, Paulk believes such tools could be helpful for Siren and early-stage companies like it. A small amount of cash goes a long way for a preclinical startup, she said, and could be useful for biotechs that need to reach their next milestone but cant secure cash from institutional investors.Paulk, a former University of California, San Francisco assistant professor, said the idea was first suggested to her by a prominent local CEO who invested in Siren. She began looking into it in January, and became intrigued by crowdfunding's novelty, as well as its potential to draw in individuals, like patients and their families, who might have a personal stake in the companys research.I just became enamored with the concept, she said.Patients, caregivers and their friends can, of course, donate to disease foundations that often issue grants to academic labs and scientists. Yet those funds might go toward supporting projects that are years from human testing or may never get there. Paulk contends these communities might be inclined to invest in a company with a treatment their patients could later receive in a trial.Such direct investment does pose risks, however. Sirens WeFunder homepage doesnt mention the gene therapy fields recent headwinds, nor does it fully detail the arduous journey every biotech faces in proving the safety and efficacy of promising new therapies. Most drugs, even those based on cutting-edge and sophisticated science, later fail in testing.Siren does provide information on its financial health and operations for 2023 and 2024, a rare window into the inner workings of a private company, as well as an independent auditors report. According to the WeFunder page, prospective investors who contribute $50,000 will receive quarterly reports from Siren, while anyone who invests $100,000 gets twice yearly calls with Paulk.Paulk wouldnt say exactly how much the company has raised so far. But shes closely watching to see who the idea resonates with, what works or doesnt, and intends to share the details with other aspiring founders. Shes already been contacted by others in the biotech startup community to discuss her experience.Im talking about this everywhere,“ she said. Im not trying to make it a secret by any means.Since opening the round, Siren has cleared the $50,000 minimum threshold WeFunder requires before disbursing funds. As of Wednesday, more than a dozen people had publicly identified themselves as investors. One lead investor, Lynn Fischer, a managing director at KMAK Capital, said her firm put in $200,000.Our investment is an expression of confidence in Siren Biotechnology's scientific innovation, their ability to navigate the complexities of the regulatory landscape, and their power to deliver on the massive potential of AAV immuno-gene therapy for patients, Fischer wrote on the funding portal webpage. '