**The development of a first-in-class cancer therapeutic for difficult-to-treat metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer.** Spirea Ltd a cutting-edge spin-out from the University of Cambridge intents on revolutionizing cancer treatment with its pioneering Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) for Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)---one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of breast cancer. TNBC affects 10-15% of breast cancer patients globally, and existing treatments are often limited by severe toxicity, drug resistance, and poor efficacy. Spirea's breakthrough lies in a proprietary linker technology which allows more therapeutic drug payload to be delivered to the target cancer cell increasing ADC design flexibility to reduce unwanted side-effects. For the first time, we are incorporating a next-generation payload, designed to overcome drug resistance, into our ADCs, offering a first-in-class treatment option for TNBC patients who have exhausted existing therapies. Our technology addresses a critical unmet need, with early preclinical results showing our ADC to be highly effective in a TNBC model , with greater tolerability and dosing flexibility. Beyond TNBC, this ADC has the potential to expand into other solid tumours where the target is overexpressed, including other breast cancers, melanoma, prostate, and ovarian cancers. This project is supported by a strong team of experts in ADC development, bioconjugation, and oncology, alongside leading CRO partners. Together, we aim to deliver a novel ADC therapy that will not only transform treatment outcomes for TNBC patients but also align with NHS goals by reducing cancer treatment time and generating significant healthcare savings. With Innovate UK funding, we will accelerate preclinical validation, paving the way for clinical trials, partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies, and the next breakthrough in cancer therapeutics.

Spirea is responding to challenges faced by the developers of next-generation cancer therapies, by applying its proprietary and proven core polymer platform technology. New classes of innovative pharmaceutical products are being developed to improve the effectiveness and safety of the potent drugs used to treat cancer, through precision medicine. In these techniques the drugs are directed specifically at cancerous cells, while leaving healthy cells untouched. This has the potential to significantly improve patient care, and crucially, reduce side effects. Despite evidence for improved treatment, the number of these products reaching the market has been limited due to technical challenges, along with stability issues. This innovation applies Spirea’s existing proprietary technology of targeted drug delivery, to this new field in cancer therapy. The objective of the project is to generate a powerful new therapy platform using our enabling polymer technology, through technical evaluation, generating experimental evidence, in parallel to product development planning through customer engagement. The results of the project will be that Spirea will establish a platform technology that will create added value for customers, with real potential for growth.