iBio, Inc. announced a research collaboration with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center to explore in solid tumors the anti-cancer potential of the molecule that is part of the IBIO-100 program. Among all the stromal cells that present in the tumor microenvironment, cancer-associated fibroblasts are one of the most abundant and critical components of tumor tissue, which provide physical support for tumor cells and can promote or retard tumorigenesis in a context-dependent manner. CAFs are also involved in the modulation of many components of the immune system, and recent studies have revealed their roles in immune evasion and poor responses to cancer immunotherapy. In addition, CAF response to chemotherapy is highly variable. Through a series of planned in vitro and in vivo studies, the collaboration will evaluate the potential of the anti-fibrotic effects of iBio?s endostatin E4 molecule to improve the efficacy of concomitant treatments, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, in cancer models with a fibrotic component. The Company is currently developing endostatin E4 as IBIO-100 for fibrotic diseases.