# Development of a Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibody Against EGFL6, a Mediator of Tumor Growth and Metastasis

> **NIH NIH R41** · TRADEWIND BIOSCIENCE, INC. · 2021 · $405,552

## Abstract

SUMMARY
A diagnosis of ovarian cancer (OvCa) is especially devastating. With 22,240 diagnoses in 2018 and an estimated
14,070 deaths, OvCa has the third-highest mortality rate, leading to the fifth-highest number of cancer deaths
among women in the United States. The objective of this research is to validate the anti-tumor function of
humanized antibodies with the end goal of identifying and developing an optimized lead monoclonal antibody
(mAb) as a therapeutic antibody against Epidermal Growth Factor-Like 6 (EGFL6), a mediator of tumor growth
and metastasis. Our first indication for treatment with the therapeutic antibody will be patients with platinum
resistant ovarian cancer (OvCa), post-PARP (poly-ADP ribose polymerase) inhibitor treatment, which is a
growing area of need. Our proposed therapeutic neutralizes EGFL6 by disrupting its functions to promote cancer
cell growth, act as a chemotactic factor in the tumor microenvironment to promote metastasis, and promote
angiogenesis. The proposed Phase I research objectives are focused on identifying the antibody most efficacious
in inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis for further characterization and development as a therapeutic antibody.
Upon successful completion of this Phase I study, the next steps in Phase II will include evaluating toxicity alone
as well as efficacy in combination with other OvCa therapeutics in order to address regulatory requirements and
refine concepts for clinical trials.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10134916
- **Project number:** 1R41CA250757-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** TRADEWIND BIOSCIENCE, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Thaddeus David Allen
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $405,552
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-04-20 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10134916

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10134916, Development of a Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibody Against EGFL6, a Mediator of Tumor Growth and Metastasis (1R41CA250757-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10134916. Licensed CC0.

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