#Italy #Takis #Rome #Tethis #HER3-targeted

Advancing Cancer Treatment with Innovative Collaboration

The joint effort between the Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine at Sapienza University of Rome, along with Takis S.r.l. and Tethis S.p.A., marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of advanced treatment options for lung cancer.

On October 3, 2025, these entities announced their collaboration under the HERCART project, which aims to explore and enhance HER3-targeted therapies for lung cancer. Also, this initiative encompasses the development of companion diagnostics essential for identifying suitable candidates for these therapies.

The foundation of this collaboration lies in the innovative research being conducted by Takis and DMCM, which is spearheading the development of groundbreaking antibody-based therapies. These include a bispecific T-cell engager designed to target the HER3 receptor—an important player in the advancement of cancer treatment methods. As highlighted by Giuseppe Roscilli, the Chief Technology Officer of Takis, the synergetic approach combining cancer therapeutics with diagnostics paves the way for developing more effective treatment plans. His enthusiastic statement underscored the need for new therapies to be supported by robust diagnostic tools.

Moreover, Tethis brings specialized technology to the table, utilizing its proprietary See.d® instrument and SmartBioSurface® slides designed for liquid biopsies. This technology is set to conduct meticulous analyses of liquid samples to detect HER3-positive circulating tumor cells (CTCs). The clinical framework is vividly detailed, with plans to collect blood samples from patients at Sant'Andrea Hospital, which will then undergo processing at the DMCM facility. Here, the See.d instrument will create cytology slides that contain the CTCs necessary for the next phase of analysis.

A significant part of this joint venture is the focus on providing personalized treatment plans. The collaboration aims to establish a pathway leading to the development of personalized medicine by identifying patients who would benefit the most from HER3-targeted treatments. By accurately detecting and characterizing HER3-positive cells, new therapeutic possibilities such as monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and CAR-T therapies targeting HER3 can be formulated.

Rita Mancini, a leading professor at the DMCM, emphasized that this collaboration illustrates the power of amalgamating top-notch research with cutting-edge technology. It reflects a collective effort to realize the potential of precise oncology, ultimately benefiting patients with targeted treatments designed to improve outcomes.

As the joint initiative enters its clinical phase, the eyes of the medical and scientific community are on this groundbreaking collaboration. The integration of advanced technologies with academic research fosters an environment where innovation flourishes. It emphasizes the importance of partnership-driven approaches in tackling critical health issues such as cancer, poised for a transformative impact on patient care in the long term.

In summary, this collaboration not only aims to bolster HER3-targeted therapies but also sets the stage for improving diagnostic methods essential for precision oncology. It showcases a promising pathway toward tackling one of the leading health challenges faced worldwide. The united front of academic institutions and biotech innovators like Takis and Tethis is a testament to the future of personalized cancer therapies and the significant strides that are being made in the field of oncology.