Phase 2 AUR103 calcium oral CD47 antagonist tests innate-immunity reactivation in NETs.

This proof-of-concept, open-label Phase 2 study (BHARAT-3) evaluates single-agent AUR103 calcium—an orally bioavailable small-molecule CD47 antagonist that aims to block the “don’t-eat-me” signal and promote macrophage-mediated phagocytosis—in advanced, well or moderately differentiated (G1–G2) neuroendocrine tumors. Aurigene Discovery Technologies Limited is sponsoring a twice-daily dosing strategy with two dose levels (200 mg or 300 mg BID) continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, with a small estimated enrollment (~30). Eligible patients are relapsed/refractory and must have progressed after at least one prior systemic line; the protocol also expects prior use of at least one FDA-approved NET therapy appropriate to tumor context (examples listed include everolimus, sunitinib, cabozantinib, or lutetium Lu-177 dotatate). The commercial/scientific angle is bringing CD47 biology—most validated with antibodies—into an oral small-molecule format, which could improve convenience and combination flexibility if activity is seen. Today, progressive metastatic well-differentiated NET care typically sequences somatostatin analogs, targeted agents (e.g., everolimus; sunitinib for pancreatic NET), peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (Lu-177 dotatate) for somatostatin-receptor–positive disease, liver-directed approaches when appropriate, and chemotherapy for selected higher-burden/aggressive cases—this trial explores an immune-innate strategy after those options.