Advancing Immune-Driven Therapies That Help Recovery and Prevention.

At PALA Pharmaceuticals, we believe in the promise of science to change and save lives. What began as a hypothesis has evolved into a new frontier in cancer therapy, and we’re just getting started.

Backed by a team of leading scientists, PALA Pharmaceuticals is developing systemic and localized delivery platforms to bring this immune-based therapy to the patients who need it most. As we move toward clinical trials, we continue to expand research into PALA’s mechanisms, delivery options, and potential use alongside existing treatments like chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

What is PALA?

PALA is a promising cancer treatment that taps into the power of the immune system to both fight and prevent cancer cell metabolism. The Cleveland Clinic’s George Stark, PhD, laid the groundwork for PALA and originally designed it to starve cancer cells by interfering with cell metabolism. PALA proved successful in inhibiting the growth of isolated cancer cells in preclinical studies, but required doses too high for patients to tolerate.

A groundbreaking discovery made by Christine McDonald, PhD, revealed that at low, safe doses, PALA enhances the body’s immune response against cancer by blocking the immune-suppressing activity of a protein called CAD. This means PALA can help the immune system recognize and attack tumors without harming healthy cells.

About Us

PALA Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company pioneering a new chapter in cancer treatment—a treatment that taps into the power of the immune system to fight disease.

Our work is grounded in decades of research and scientific collaboration. PALA (N-phosphonacetyl-L-aspartate) first demonstrated anti-cancer activity in the 1970s under the leadership of Dr. George Stark. Initially developed to starve cancer cells by disrupting their metabolism, PALA showed promise, but the doses needed to starve cancer cells in patients were too high to be tolerated.

Years later, PALA gained exciting new momentum when Dr. Christine McDonald discovered that PALA activates the immune system without interfering with the metabolism of healthy cells or DNA synthesis. This breakthrough repositioned PALA as an immune modulator with broad anti-tumor potential, opening the door to transformative cancer therapies.

Today, PALA Pharmaceuticals is ready to take the next step and develop the full potential of immune-activating treatments for a wide range of cancers. From lung and breast cancer to melanoma and pancreatic cancer, our preclinical data reveal a powerful and consistent immune response without compromising healthy tissue.

Team

Reid Maclellan, MD, MMSc (Chief Executive Officer)

  • Adjunct professor of plastic surgery at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital

  • Plastic surgery clinical and research fellowships at Harvard Medical School

  • Postdoctoral master’s in “Commercializing Medicine”: a joint program between Harvard Business School and Harvard Medical School

  • Serves on the Board of Directors for 5 publicly traded and private companies

George Stark, PhD (Co-Chief Scientist)

  • More than 50 years in cancer research

  • Co-discovered the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, now targeted by many drugs

  • Member of the US National Academies of Science and Medicine

  • Previous Director of Research at the Cleveland Clinic

Christine McDonald, PhD (Co-Chief Scientist)

  • Lead investigator for over 15 years in pattern recognition receptor research

  • Identified a novel immunomodulatory action of PALA

  • Extensive expertise in preclinical and translational studies of innate immune molecular mechanisms in health and disease.