Nobel laureate partners with Shanghai Henlius Biotech for immunotherapy clinical trials

The 12th Shanghai Master Forum on Science was held at Fudan University in Shanghai on Monday, featuring a keynote lecture by Carolyn Ruth Bertozzi, the 2022 Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry.

This marked Bertozzi's first visit to both Shanghai and Fudan University, where she engaged in insightful discussions with students and faculty members from local universities and high schools.

In her lecture titled "Sweet revenge on cancer: Getting the sugar off cells for cancer immune therapy", Bertozzi announced that Palleon Pharmaceuticals, an enterprise that she co-founded with her students, will collaborate with Shanghai Henlius Biotech Inc to launch the first clinical trial for an innovative immunotherapy in 2026.

Bertozzi, who is a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences, editor-in-chief of ACS Central Science, and a professor at Stanford University, emphasized the transformative potential of immunotherapy, describing it as the "penicillin moment" for cancer.

"Cancers with high mutation rates, such as melanoma and lung cancer, tend to respond better to immunotherapy compared to those with lower mutation rates, like ovarian and breast cancers. Such high-mutation cancers hold promise for potential cures through immunotherapy," she said.

Bertozzi shared that her team's candidate therapy has been validated in cancer animal models, as well as related autoimmune disease projects. The safety of the candidate drug has also been tested in large animals, including monkeys.

In 2003, Bertozzi pioneered the concept of "bioorthogonal chemistry", a groundbreaking field that has revolutionized the labeling of sugar molecules in living cells. This technology enables precise imaging and targeted drug delivery to cancer cells, contributing directly to the development of cancer immunotherapy and offering new hopes for cancer patients.

Reflecting on the progress in cancer research, Bertozzi stated that major breakthroughs over the past five decades have stemmed from a deeper understanding of cancer mechanisms. Building on this knowledge, treatment strategies have steadily improved, with immunotherapy playing a crucial role.

"However, there exist ongoing challenges faced by cancer patients. While current treatments can extend life, the ultimate goal remains a cure, which is a goal that researchers are striving to achieve," she said.

Regarding her visit to China, Bertozzi expressed admiration for the country's leading position in science and technology and conveyed her eagerness to collaborate with faculty members at Fudan University, hoping her visit would pave the way for future partnerships.

Cui Chuandong contributed to this story.