HARTFORD—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced Intensity Therapeutics, based in Westport, has been named June’s “Innovator of the Month.” Intensity Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing first-in-class cancer drugs that treat tumors with minimal side effects, while also training the patient’s own immune system to fight the cancer. June is National Cancer Survivor Awareness Month, and Intensity’s mission is to help patients live longer, higher quality lives by creating safer and more effective cancer treatments.

Intensity is developing intratumoral immunotherapy products that when directly injected into solid tumors, kill the tumor and induce immune system recognition of cancer cells. Their lead drug, INT230-6, is currently in clinical trials, and preliminary data has shown significant improvements in survival rates without the side effects of traditional cancer treatments.

“Too many of us have lost a loved one to cancer, but it’s the innovation of Connecticut companies like Intensity Therapeutics that will make sure we find a cure once and for all. Intensity’s cutting-edge research is changing the way we think about cancer treatment and will help patients live longer lives with fewer side effects. I’m proud to recognize the important work they’re doing to save lives,” said Murphy.

“Intensity is deeply honored and humbled to be named Innovator of the Month by Senator Murphy,” said Lewis H. Bender, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Intensity Therapeutics. “Connecticut has a growing biotech industry, and the state has a strong desire to support companies that have chosen Connecticut to be their home. We were thrilled earlier this month when the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) selected our exciting data for two presentations at ASCO’s annual meeting, the world’s most important clinical cancer conference. Intensity’s success is due to the Company’s talented Westport staff and our highly motivated clinical research organization partner located in Clinton. It is important to remember that while COVID has killed more than 600,000 individuals in the U.S. to date, each year cancer kills thousands more and new cancer treatments are desperately needed. We are proud to have invented our innovative technology and founded our company here in Connecticut. We benefited from the State’s Angel tax credit program early in our history and are continuously working to grow our organization in this state.”

Murphy believes entrepreneurship and innovation are the building blocks for a strong economy. In the U.S. Senate, he has introduced two bipartisan pieces of legislation to incentivize angel investors to put more money into startup companies—the Angel Tax Credit Act and the Helping Angels Lead Our Startups (HALOS) Act. Startup companies create an average of 2 million jobs each year.

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