BriaCell Awarded $2 Million NCI Grant to Advance Bria-PROS+™ in Prostate Cancer
Rhea-AI Summary
BriaCell Therapeutics (NASDAQ: BCTX) has secured a $2.05 million non-dilutive grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to advance Bria-PROS+™, its next-generation personalized off-the-shelf immunotherapy for prostate cancer. The funding will support the manufacturing and upcoming Phase 1/2a clinical trial for patients with metastatic prostate cancer.
The study will be led by Dr. William Oh from Yale Cancer Center as Principal Investigator. The Bria-OTS+ platform aims to address the challenges of traditional personalized cancer treatments by offering a more streamlined approach to immunotherapy for patients with advanced prostate cancer.
Positive
- Secured $2.05M non-dilutive grant from NCI, validating technology potential
- Expansion of Bria-OTS+ platform into prostate cancer treatment
- Partnership with prestigious Yale Cancer Center for clinical trials
- Development addresses significant unmet medical need in metastatic prostate cancer
Negative
- None.
Insights
BriaCell secures $2M NCI grant for prostate cancer immunotherapy, advancing their personalized off-the-shelf platform without diluting shareholder value.
The
The strategic importance of this grant cannot be overstated. First, being non-dilutive means BriaCell can advance this program without issuing additional shares that would dilute existing shareholders. Second, receiving NCI funding provides external validation of BriaCell's technology platform from a premier cancer research institution.
From a scientific perspective, the Bria-OTS+ platform represents an innovative approach to personalized immunotherapy. Traditional personalized treatments often involve complex manufacturing processes tailored to each patient, resulting in high costs and treatment delays. BriaCell's off-the-shelf approach potentially offers personalized therapy without these drawbacks.
The expansion into prostate cancer is strategically sound, addressing what the company describes as an "urgent unmet medical need." With Principal Investigator Dr. William Oh from Yale Cancer Center leading the clinical study, the program has credible scientific leadership. Metastatic prostate cancer represents a significant market with limited effective treatment options for advanced cases, as noted in Dr. Oh's statement about patients who progress with "significant pain and suffering and limited treatment options."
This grant allows BriaCell to expand their technology platform beyond their existing programs, potentially creating additional value pathways for the company while derisking development through external funding.
- US
$2,054,651 non-dilutive grant from the US National Cancer Institute to complete manufacturing of Bria-Pros+TM clinical supply and support Phase 1/2a trial in metastatic prostate cancer - Expands Bria-OTS+ novel personalized off-the-shelf immunotherapy platform to prostate cancer, an urgent unmet medical need
- Principal Investigator: Dr. William Oh, MD, Yale Cancer Center
PHILADELPHIA and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq: BCTX, BCTXW, BCTXZ), (TSX: BCT) (“BriaCell” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops novel immunotherapies to transform cancer care, is pleased to announce that the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the United States federal government’s principal agency for cancer research and training, has awarded the Company a research grant of
The non-dilutive grant, titled “Phase 1/2a clinical trial to investigate Bria-PROS+™ in patients with metastatic prostate cancer”, will be used to complete manufacturing of Bria-PROS+ and to fund the upcoming Phase 1/2a study in patients with advanced prostate cancer.
“Despite recent advances in the management of metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, most patients will progress with significant pain and suffering and limited treatment options,” stated Dr. William Oh, MD, Director of Precision Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, and Principal Investigator on the upcoming Phase 1/2a clinical study of Bria-PROS+ in advanced prostate cancer. “We are grateful to the NCI for recognizing the urgency for this unmet medical need and supporting BriaCell’s breakthrough immunotherapy.”
“This prestigious award will help expedite the clinical development of Bria-PROS+ and is significant validation of our next generation novel personalized immunotherapy approach,” added Dr. William V. Williams, BriaCell’s President and CEO.
“The Bria-OTS+ platform was designed to overcome the complexity, cost and delays of traditional personalized cancer treatments,” noted Miguel Lopez-Lago, PhD, BriaCell’s Chief Scientific Officer. “We believe it will constitute a significant advancement in personalized cancer care.”
About BriaCell Therapeutics Corp.
BriaCell is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops novel immunotherapies to transform cancer care. More information is available at https://briacell.com/.
Safe Harbor
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the completion of manufacturing of Bria-PROS+; the outcome of the Phase 1/2a clinical trial in metastatic breast cancer; and the ongoing development of Bria-PROS+. These statements are based on BriaCell’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully under the heading “Risks and Uncertainties” in the Company’s most recent Management’s Discussion and Analysis, under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form and under “Risks and Uncertainties” in the Company’s other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are available under the Company’s profiles on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date and BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contact Information
Company Contact:
William V. Williams, MD
President & CEO
1-888-485-6340
info@briacell.com
Investor Relations Contact:
investors@briacell.com
FAQ
What is the value and purpose of the NCI grant awarded to BriaCell (BCTX)?
Who is leading the Phase 1/2a clinical trial for BriaCell's Bria-PROS+?
What is Bria-PROS+ designed to treat?
How does BriaCell's Bria-OTS+ platform differ from traditional cancer treatments?
What stage of development is BriaCell's Bria-PROS+ currently in?
