Lantern Pharma Advances Rare Pediatric Brain Cancer Treatment Using AI Platform

Lantern Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRN) is advancing toward a clinical trial targeting rare pediatric brain cancers using its proprietary artificial intelligence platform and investigational therapy, with the company planning to launch the trial in the first quarter of 2026. The development follows a constructive meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that provided critical guidance on trial design and regulatory pathway for the company's approach to treating central nervous system cancers.

The company's investigational therapy LP-184/STAR-001 is designed to work synergistically with diuretic spironolactone and other potential combination regimens in treating childhood brain cancers, including Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT). Lantern's program for ATRT has received both Rare Pediatric Disease Designation and Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA, positioning the treatment for accelerated development and potential market exclusivity benefits. The company is currently preparing to submit an investigational new drug amendment to advance the program.

Lantern President and CEO Panna Sharma expressed enthusiasm about the FDA feedback, stating that the guidance reinforces the company's trial design and highlights the potential of their AI platform, RADR®, in identifying and optimizing combination regimens for devastating pediatric CNS cancers. The company's proprietary RADR platform leverages over 200 billion oncology-focused data points and a library of more than 200 advanced machine learning algorithms to accelerate drug development.

The significance of this development extends beyond the immediate patient population, representing a broader shift in how pharmaceutical companies approach rare disease treatment. By utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning, Lantern has demonstrated the ability to advance drug programs from initial AI insights to first-in-human clinical trials in just 2-3 years at approximately $2.5 million per program, dramatically reducing both time and cost compared to traditional drug development approaches.

For investors and the pharmaceutical industry, Lantern's progress signals the growing maturity of AI-driven drug discovery platforms in addressing complex medical challenges. The company's focus on rare pediatric cancers, combined with its efficient development model, could establish new benchmarks for treating conditions that have historically received limited research investment due to small patient populations and high development costs. Additional information about Lantern Pharma is available in the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/LTRN.

The successful application of AI platforms like RADR in oncology drug development represents a potential paradigm shift for the pharmaceutical industry, offering hope for more efficient and targeted treatments for conditions with significant unmet medical needs. As Lantern moves toward its planned 2026 trial launch, the industry will be watching closely to see if this AI-driven approach can deliver on its promise of faster, more cost-effective drug development for rare and challenging diseases.