Bend and Starton Collaborate on Oral Sustained Release Form of STAR-LLD
The collaboration will leverage Bend’s expertise in controlled release formulation, manufacturing process, and analytical method development, and Starton’s deep understanding of continuous delivery of lenalidomide.
Clinical-stage biotechnology company, Starton Therapeutics, has entered into a collaboration agreement with innovation, science, and pharmaceutical services provider, Bend Bioscience, to develop an oral controlled release dosage form of lenalidomide (STAR-LLD). The collaboration, which was announced in a June 24 press release (1), will see Bend provide drug delivery R&D support and manufacturing capabilities for Starton’s proprietary oral sustained release dosage form of lenalidomide.
“We are excited to enter into this agreement with Bend for the development of an oral sustained release formulation of STAR-LLD,” said Pedro Lichtinger, Chairman and CEO of Starton, in a press release about the agreement (1). “This oral formulation of STAR-LLD not only has the potential to demonstrate superior tolerability and efficacy but could also improve patient compliance and convenience. While the branded lenalidomide product remains a cornerstone treatment for multiple myeloma, the approved oral formulation of the drug is associated with hematologic side effects in some patients. By giving less drug continuously, STAR-LLD may improve the therapeutic index of lenalidomide allowing for better treatment outcomes.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Bend will provide their expertise to develop an optimized oral STAR-LLD tablet, leveraging and building upon Starton’s intellectual property and understanding of continuously delivering lenalidomide. Additionally, Bend will lead the scale-up and commercial manufacturing efforts throughout the collaboration.
“Bend Bioscience is committed to improving patients’ lives by delivering innovative drug products,” added Owen Murray, CEO of Bend, in the press release (1). “This collaboration underscores our commitment to supporting our partners from early development through commercial production. Our reputation for progressing medicines to clinical and commercial manufacturing is a testament of our commitment to strong science, exceptional quality, and positive outcomes for our customers and their patients. We are excited to be a part of Starton’s story, and to see STAR-LLD potentially reach patients in need.”
In a preclinical proof-of-concept study, the subcutaneous form of Starton’s continuous low-dose lenalidomide was shown to reduce the growth rate of multiple myeloma tumors by a factor of five when compared with the study cohort who had not received any treatment. Additionally, the overall response rate was found to be 100% when delivery of lenalidomide was continuous with 20% of the animals included in the study being tumor-free after 100 days.
Starton’s continuous low-dose lenalidomide is currently in Phase IIa clinical development as a treatment for multiple myeloma (2). The company expects this next clinical phase will expand upon the observations from the Phase Ib study, which demonstrated that the continuous low-dose lenalidomide provided meaningful efficacy and improved tolerability.
“We are excited to announce this major milestone in our mission to bring breakthrough therapies to patients. This marks the next phase of development for our lead candidate, STAR-LLD, and represents a significant step forward for the entire team,” stated Pedro Lichtinger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Starton Therapeutics, in a press release about the opening of enrollment for the Phase IIa trial (2).
References
Bend Bioscience. Starton Therapeutics and Bend Bioscience Enter into Development Agreement for Oral Controlled Release Dosage Form of STAR-LLD (lenalidomide). Press Release, June 24, 2025.
Starton Therapeutics.Starton Therapeutics Announces Phase IIa Clinical Trial for Continuous Low-Dose Lenalidomide (STAR-LLD) in Multiple Myeloma Open for Enrollment. Press Release, June 12, 2025.