Fannin lands CDMRP, Faris Foundation grants for pediatric cancer therapy
What's the deal? Houston-based Fannin Innovation StudioDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has secured two grants from the Congressionally Directed Medical Research ProgramsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and the Faris Foundation to develop a targeted Raptamer-Drug Conjugate (RapDC) therapy for Ewing sarcoma, an aggressive pediatric cancer. The company announced the awards on August 14, 2026.
What's the endgame? Fannin is developing RapDCs targeting IL1RAP, an internalizing cell-surface receptor found on most Ewing sarcomas. RapDCs work like antibody-drug conjugates, but replace antibodies with fully synthetic Raptamers that bind cell-surface proteins and deliver cytotoxic payloads directly into cancer cells.
Why now? Ewing sarcoma is a rare, aggressive bone and soft tissue cancer that mainly affects children and adolescents. Patients whose disease recurs or resists standard therapy have few options.
Why it matters: The grants provide non-dilutive support for Fannin's pediatric oncology work, where commercial incentives can be limited. The awards join Fannin's portfolio, including Allterum TherapeuticsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →' CD127 antibody program and Raptamer TherapeuticsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →' RapDC program for osteosarcoma.
Read more: PR Newswire
Image credit: Fannin Innovation Studio
