Stellanova Therapeutics

Stellanova Therapeutics is developing the first cancer therapy targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and their symbiotic interactions within the tumor microenvironment. The company was founded based on research from Dr. Rosa Hwang’s laboratory at MD Anderson Cancer Center, which identified targeted factors produced by stellate cells as a subtype of stellate CAFs present in pancreatic cancer. These factors have been shown to directly counteract cancer and make tumor cells more susceptible to conventional treatments, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Stellanova means "nova," and the company aims to establish an entirely new approach to cancer treatment.