Cantargia (CANTA) Investing in Life Science 2025 summary

Strategic and operational updates

• Focus on advancing Nadunolimab, a lead IL-1RAP antibody, in pancreatic and lung cancer, with over 300 patients treated and ongoing development of a prognostic marker for patient selection.

• Fast-track designation from the FDA for Nadunolimab in metastatic PDAC with high IL-1RAP expression; increased investment in the IL-1 CANxx antibody platform enabled by a transformative deal with Otsuka.

• Pipeline includes a Phase IIb/III-ready Nadunolimab for PDAC, discovery-stage bispecific and ADC programs, and a strategic partnership with Otsuka following Phase I completion.

Clinical and scientific insights

• High IL-1RAP expression correlates with poor prognosis in cancer, but Nadunolimab treatment improves survival in this group, with a mean overall survival of 14 months versus 9 months historically.

• 60% of advanced/metastatic PDAC patients have high IL-1RAP, representing the main target population; a diagnostic marker for high IL-1RAP is in validation.

• Planned randomized controlled trial in metastatic PDAC will select high IL-1RAP patients and use overall survival as the primary endpoint.

• TRIFOUR study in triple negative breast cancer showed similar response rates in both arms, with ongoing subgroup analysis and final data expected by year-end.

• Safety data show no added toxicity when Nadunolimab is combined with chemotherapy.

Financial and partnership developments

• Otsuka deal includes $33 million upfront, with additional development, regulatory, and sales milestones, plus high single-digit to low double-digit royalties.

• Financial flexibility from the Otsuka partnership will support further development of Nadunolimab and the IL-1RAP platform.