Burlington, Mass. — Consano Bio highlighted the scientific and clinical experts advising the development of C-1101, its investigational non-opioid biologic therapy for chronic lumbosacral radiculopathy, commonly known as chronic sciatica.
The clinical-stage biotechnology company said its Scientific Advisory Board provides expertise in pain medicine, regulatory strategy, biologics manufacturing and hematological research as C-1101 advances through clinical development.
Former U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams and interventional orthopedics specialist Christopher Centeno are also providing external strategic and clinical guidance to the company.
“Chronic sciatica represents one of the largest unmet needs in the U.S. and it demands both scientific innovation and disciplined execution,” said Andrew Hall, Chief Executive Officer of Consano Bio. “We are fortunate to work with a Scientific Advisory Board and external advisors whose clinical, scientific, and development expertise is helping guide C-1101 as we advance in the clinic and pursue our goal of developing a disease-modifying, non-opioid therapy for patients who currently have few effective options.”
Adams is a board-certified anesthesiologist and public health leader with experience addressing national health challenges, including the opioid crisis. Centeno is chief medical officer of Regenexx and specializes in regenerative medicine and interventional orthobiologics.
“Chronic sciatica remains an area where patients too often cycle through temporary symptom management without therapies designed to address the underlying cause of the condition,” said Dr. Adams. “There is a compelling need for non-opioid, disease-modifying approaches that can improve outcomes for patients while helping reduce reliance on palliative, symptom-focused approaches. Consano’s work with C-1101 is highly aligned with that need, and I am pleased to support the company as it advances this important program.”
Consano Bio’s Scientific Advisory Board includes Susan Stewart, a regulatory affairs and quality assurance specialist with more than 35 years of experience developing global strategies for drugs and biologics.
Other members include Mihir Kamdar, a pain medicine and palliative care physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and faculty member at Harvard Medical School; Ralph Vassallo, executive vice president and chief medical and scientific officer at Vitalant; and Li Malmberg, a chemistry, manufacturing and controls executive with nearly 30 years of biologics development and manufacturing experience.
“I am thrilled to be part of Consano Bio’s Scientific Advisory Board at such a pivotal phase in the company’s growth,” stated Mihir Kamdar, MD. “There is a profound need for better treatments in the field of lumbosacral radiculopathy. Consano’s work with C-1101 represents a promising approach to that need, and, along with my fellow board members, I look forward to utilizing our collective clinical and scientific expertise to help lead this innovation for the many patients affected by chronic pain.”
Chronic lumbosacral radiculopathy is caused by damage to or irritation of spinal nerve roots in the lower back. The condition can cause pain, numbness and weakness that radiate from the spine into the leg. Consano Bio said there are no U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved pharmaceutical treatments specifically for chronic sciatica.
C-1101 is a platelet-derived, multi-protein biologic designed to reduce inflammation and promote cellular repair at the site of nerve injury. It contains standardized concentrations of cytokines, growth factors and matrix proteins intended to stimulate the body’s natural healing response.
The therapy is administered through an epidural injection to deliver elevated concentrations of the proteins directly to the affected area. Consano Bio is developing C-1101 as a potential disease-modifying alternative to opioid and symptom-focused treatments.
