# NCI Awards $2.06M ET501 Research Grant

On October 15, 2026, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), awarded Expression Therapeutics a two-year, $2,058,885 Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to advance ET501, a PTK7-targeted γδ T-cell therapy for children with high-risk neuroblastoma. The preclinical work is intended to move the therapy toward a potential FDA Investigational New Drug application. This is a federal research grant, not an open procurement solicitation.

- The award supports a biotech development effort; government contractors should not treat it as an active bid opportunity. Companies providing research, manufacturing, or clinical-development capabilities may find future business opportunities with Expression Therapeutics as the program advances.
- The company identifies scientific, regulatory, manufacturing, and funding risks. Prospective suppliers should account for these uncertainties when evaluating potential work tied to ET501.
- The award also advances Expression Therapeutics’ γδ T-cell platform, which the company says includes ET401 for adults with neuroendocrine tumors.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Healthcare
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 15, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

### Vendors
- Expression Therapeutics, Inc. (grant awardee)

### Key Quotes
> This award funds the work that stands between ET501 and an IND application. It also advances the second program on our γδ T-cell platform, ET401 for adults with neuroendocrine tumors.
> — David Townson, Chief Executive Officer of Expression Therapeutics

### Sources
- [Expression Therapeutics Awarded NCI SBIR Grant to Advance ET501, a PTK7-Targeted γδ T-Cell Therapy for Children with High-Risk Neuroblastoma](https://finance.yahoo.com/healthcare/articles/expression-therapeutics-awarded-nci-sbir-130500414.html) - Yahoo Finance