#London #United Kingdom #CAR-T therapy #Leucid Bio #LEU011

Leucid Bio's Landmark AERIAL Trial for Solid Tumors

Leucid Bio, a cutting-edge biotechnology company focused on innovative Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies, has officially launched its AERIAL trial by administering the first dose of its promising treatment, LEU011. This significant event was marked on May 12, 2025, showcasing Leucid's commitment to advancing cancer therapies that target solid tumors.

The AERIAL trial is a Phase 1, multi-center study aimed at evaluating the safety and clinical effectiveness of LEU011 in patients with refractory solid tumors. The initiation of this trial was propelled by a recent successful Series A1 financing round in February 2025, where the company raised £7.2 million, contributing to a total of £18.7 million thus far.

LEU011 represents a groundbreaking approach in oncology as it is the first CAR-T candidate specifically manufactured for solid tumors at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). The relevance of this lies in its sophisticated design, targeting NKG2D stress ligands—markers present on over 80% of human tumor cells and their microenvironment. Furthermore, LEU011 integrates the chemokine receptor CXCR2, enhancing its capabilities in cell trafficking and tumor infiltration. This advancement aims to overcome the traditional challenges associated with CAR-T therapies in solid tumors.

Recognizing the clinical promise of LEU011, Filippo Petti, the CEO of Leucid Bio, underscored the importance of this milestone, highlighting its striking anti-tumor activity observed in preclinical studies. He expressed immense gratitude towards the GOSH team for their collaboration, emphasizing the aspiration to develop effective cell therapies to help patients in dire need. GOSH's commitment to pioneering research and high-quality pediatric care is further reflected in their partnership with Leucid, which supports the advanced manufacturing of LEU011 at their state-of-the-art facility.

Stephen Mathew, the Head of Innovation at the GOSH Cell and Gene Therapy Service, echoed these sentiments, stating that the manufacturing partnership aligns with the hospital's mission to accelerate the development of innovative therapies that hold the potential to deliver curative solutions for complex medical conditions.

As the AERIAL trial commences, the anticipation builds for the initial proof-of-concept data for LEU011, which is expected to be released in the latter half of 2025. This trial stands not only as a significant step for Leucid Bio but also as a beacon of hope for many patients grappling with solid tumors resistant to conventional treatment methods.

In summary, the AERIAL trial exemplifies the evolving landscape of cancer treatment, where innovative therapies like LEU011 are being positioned to make real differences in patient outcomes. Leucid Bio and GOSH are at the forefront of this medical revolution, reinforcing the importance of continued investment and collaboration in the biotechnology sector.

For further details on the Phase 1 AERIAL trial, prospective participants are encouraged to visit ClinicalTrials.gov and check for the trial identifier NCT06193902.

About Leucid Bio
Leucid Bio is a pioneering biotechnology firm dedicated to developing cutting-edge cell therapies targeting solid tumors with its proprietary CAR platform. LEU011, the flagship therapy, is crafted to target NKG2D ligands prevalent in a substantial majority of human tumors, aiming to revolutionize treatment approaches in oncology.

About Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital is renowned globally for its pediatric healthcare expertise, focusing on rare and complex medical conditions. Hosting the Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, GOSH is committed to transforming laboratory discoveries into effective clinical treatments, promising hope for many young patients.