Brothers Recognized for Their Pioneering Work in Cancer Treatment
(CLEVELAND, OH) – Drs. Rabi and Gabi Hanna, two brothers who immigrated to the United States, now making pioneering strides in the field of cancer treatment, have been recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business as Notable Leaders in Health Care Technology.
The co-founders of Lamassu Biotech, a privately held clinical stage bio-pharmaceutical company, are being recognized for their respective work bringing hope and healing to those battling some of the toughest forms of cancer. They founded the company, alongside Chief Science Officer Greg Palmer, PhD., with the goal of accelerating the drug development process by bringing transformational treatments from concept to bedside faster than other companies.
Dr. Rabi Hanna, who also serves as Chair of the Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplant at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, is being recognized for the work he’s done building the department into one of the nation’s leading centers for pediatric cancer care. Dr. Hanna, who has practiced medicine at Cleveland Clinic for more than 15 years, is widely regarded as a leader the fields of pediatric hematology and bone marrow transplants. He is also a sought-after lecturer on a range of topics.
“It’s an honor to be recognized together with my brother by Crain’s Cleveland Business,” said Dr. Rabi Hanna. “Through partnerships with my colleagues at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, we have created new possibilities when it comes to therapies and treatments for those facing a pediatric cancer diagnosis. What makes our cancer care so special is the community of providers that are so deeply dedicated to ensuring that children can not only survive, but they can thrive and achieve all their potential.”
Dr. Gabi Hanna, who serves as CEO of Lamassu Biotech, guides the development of the company’s drugs, especially SA53, the company’s novel treatment protocol for stubborn cancers, currently in human trials at Cleveland Clinic. The potentially transformative new therapy targets the MDM2 protein, a key regulator of the tumor suppressor P53 gene. Dr. Hanna’s leadership at Lamassu combines his robust academic and research background, including his time as Executive Director of the first academic drug development center at Duke University as well as experience founding multiple successful startups, including Telecancer.com, American Remote Health, and Preclinical Pathfinder.
“The establishment of Lamassu as a biotech leader in our area has been the culmination of years of innovative work to bring the benefits of the best research to our patients,” said Dr. Gabi Hanna. “It is humbling that Crain’s Cleveland Business has recognized the passion that makes our company and our process stand out from our peers. Our mission has always been about bringing hope and healing to more people, to ensure we see more survivors. We thank God for his blessings and guidance as we continue to work toward that goal.”
This year, Lamassu Biotech launched a Phase 1/2a human clinical trial that is investigating SA53 in collaboration with National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Cleveland Clinic. The trial, being overseen by Peter Anderson, MD, PhD., of Cleveland Clinic could provide new hope for patients suffering from the most stubborn forms of cancer that presently do not respond to available treatment options. SA53 could, if successful, also provide better targeted treatment for many types of cancer, transforming precision oncology practices.
Additionally, Lamassu Biotech recently announced a significant “One Health” grant from the NIH to advance a pioneering treatment protocol for canine acute pancreatitis. The drug, known as RABI-767, is a novel therapeutic designed to offer hope to pet owners whose dogs suffer from a condition that currently has no FDA-approved treatment. RABI-767 is now in Phase 2 human clinical trials across more than ten centers in the United States, Canada, and India, and the Lamassu team remains highly optimistic about its progress and the potential benefits it could bring to patients with acute pancreatitis.
###
ABOUT LAMASSU BIOTECH
Lamassu Biotech is a private pioneering clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative treatments for severe and unmet medical needs in oncology and inflation disease. With decades of experience, Lamassu specializes in advancing transformational treatments from concept to bedside with efficiency and precision. At Lamassu, we believe in the transformative power of science and the hope it brings to patients and families. Learn more at LamassuBiotech.com.