SOCRATHeS Project

Adoptive cell therapy with T lymphocytes genetically modified for the expression of chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-T) is one of the most promising advanced therapies for cancer treatment.

However, despite the great expectation that CAR-T cells are generating for the treatment of some hematological malignancies, so far, only five of these products have received approval for use in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or multiple myeloma. 

The SOCRATHeS project aims to advance the development of a key technological platform for implementing CAR-T cell-based antitumor therapies in Navarra.  The results of the previous strategic project, the DESCARTHeS project, have allowed the development of several candidates to advance towards clinical trials for treating AML or hepatocarcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, or pancreatic cancer. New intellectual property has been generated that protects the use of these new candidates.

Therefore, the first objective of this project is to continue advancing these candidates towards the clinic, performing an exhaustive study to rule out toxicities and confirm their efficacy in relevant tumor models. In turn, this project aims to establish a platform to facilitate the future development of new CAR-Ts for other hematological malignancies and gastrointestinal cancers.

This research is funded by the Government of Navarra for strategic R&D projects. It is coordinated by the Cima Universidad de Navarra (FIMA) and includes the Clínica Universidad de Navarra, the Hospital Universitario de Navarra, and the Navarra companies Recombina Biotech and 3P Biopharmaceuticals.