Mucinase-based innovative therapy to enhance cancer treatment

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death in women and men. CRC can be broadly subdivided into adenocarcinoma-type and mucinous-type CRC, characterised by an overproduction of mucin proteins which is the primary component of mucus. These mucins form a 'physical barrier' that impedes the accessibility of current CRC therapies to their target receptors, limiting what would otherwise be promising cancer drugs.

Dr. Karin Strijbis' group has discovered a compelling mucinase enzyme that can effectively degrade the mucin barrier. Preliminary research performed by Dr. Strijbis' group revealed this mucinase's therapeutic potential to enhance the effectivity of approved anti-CRC drugs (i.e., anti-EGFR antibodies and small molecule inhibitors) by demonstrating the removal of obstructive mucin proteins and a decrease in CRC cell proliferation.

In MUC-BITE, we present Nano-MUCase, a novel biological based on the conjugation of this mucinase with a nanobody to selectively target CRC tumours for optimal delivery and removal of the mucin barrier. During this PoC project, we will determine the technical and commercial feasibility Nano-MUCase through the following activities:

1. Validate the capabilities of the Nano-MUCase to target CRC tumours and reduce mucin interference of anti-CRC drugs in organoid samples and in vivo.

2. Define an IP strategy by performing a thorough IP landscape and patentability analysis.

3. Conduct market research to discover potential customers/industrial partners, analyse competitors and identify a feasible roadmap to commercialisation.

4. Formulate a detailed business case to guide the commercialisation of the Nano-MUCase to penetrate the market and deliver a new therapeutic strategy to benefit CRC patients.