What We Do

Our Work's Strategic Focus: Small, Early-Phase Studies of High-Priority Agents

CITN and ION prioritize our research by selecting high-priority agents with proven immunologic or physiologic function. We conduct small or “early phase” novel studies of these agents in patients with cancer. These studies may lead to larger phase trials and FDA approval. Due to limited funding and the urgent need to develop new cancer immunotherapies, we must be strategic when selecting agents for early-phase testing. We therefore prioritize agents that meet the following criteria:

• Have proven biologic activity
• Are designed to stimulate T cells to ignite the body’s natural immunity
• Have potential to treat rare cancers and underserved disease populations
• Are hard to access outside of our network and partnerships
• Can be tested in multiple settings
• Provide information on immunology that can help inform trial design
• Can be manufactured at scale by experienced organizations
• Are not being researched by the pharmaceutical industry

Priority Immunotherapy Agents Currently Available

CITN and ION rely on our membership of leading cancer immunologists to conduct novel trials using the most promising immunotherapeutic agents. We then collaborate with our industry and foundation partners to develop early-stage trials. This approach provides the quickest route from proof of concept to patient benefit and a path to regulatory approval.