Johnson & Johnson has been confirmed as a partner in Poolbeg Pharma’s upcoming UK-based patient trial for a novel cancer-related therapy. The trial, led by Poolbeg in collaboration with the University of Manchester and Christie NHS Foundation Trust, is supported by a £3.4 million science grant from the UK Medical Research Council.

J&J will provide its bispecific antibody drug, teclistamab, free of charge for the POLB 001 clinical trial at The Christie hospital in Manchester, a leading specialist cancer centre. The study focuses on preventing Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), a common adverse reaction that affects more than 70 per cent of patients receiving certain cancer immunotherapies. CRS typically requires extended hospital stays of two to three weeks for monitoring, limiting patient throughput and specialist bed availability.

If POLB 001 proves effective, it could enable patients to return home sooner after treatment while reducing the pressure on healthcare facilities, improving both safety and patient care. The trial forms part of the broader Rise programme—Reducing Immune Stress from Excess cytokine release in advanced therapies—which aims to advance safer delivery of cancer immunotherapies.

Dublin-based Poolbeg Pharma, listed on London’s Alternative Investment Market and co-founded by serial entrepreneur Cathal Friel, has raised nearly £5 million this year, providing funding through 2027 to continue development and accumulate critical data across its pipeline. POLB 001 represents a strategic step in addressing key challenges in immunotherapy delivery and demonstrates growing collaboration between biopharma innovators and global healthcare leaders.

Learn how Poolbeg Pharma and J&J are shaping the next generation of cancer immunotherapy and improving patient outcomes.