VERAXA Biotech (NASDAQ: VRXA) is broadening its reliance on human-relevant preclinical testing methods across its antibody-based cancer drug development programs, a strategic shift that could enhance the translational value of its research while addressing growing regulatory and ethical pressure to reduce animal testing.
The company is implementing New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), including three-dimensional tumor spheroid models and patient-derived tumor models, to support its BiTAC(R) T-cell engagers, antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibody-drug conjugates. According to VERAXA Biotech (NASDAQ: VRXA), its lead BiTAC T-cell engager demonstrated selective, potent T-cell-mediated tumor-cell killing across 10 patient-derived non-small cell lung cancer models, while relevant controls showed minimal activity.
The ex vivo study required approximately 10 mice, compared with an estimated 200 or more for comparable in vivo efficacy studies. That reduction matters not only for animal welfare but also for the reliability of preclinical data: human-derived tumor models can better predict how therapies will behave in patients than traditional animal models, potentially reducing costly late-stage failures.
The findings support VERAXA’s dual-targeting approach, designed to direct immune activity toward cancer cells expressing two selected targets, and its broader strategy of using human-relevant models in preclinical research. For investors, the move signals a commitment to efficient, data-driven development that could accelerate timelines and lower costs. The full article is available at https://ibn.fm/jZrd2.
VERAXA was founded on scientific breakthroughs made at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory and is advancing a pipeline of ADCs and proprietary BiTAC formats into clinical development. Regular updates are available through the company’s investor relations page at https://investors.veraxa.com, and the latest news and updates relating to VRXA are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/VRXA.
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