Coimmune Inc. has exercised its option to obtain an exclusive license to IL-18 armored chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology under a prior agreement with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). The company plans to couple the technology with allogeneic cytokine induced killer (CIK) cells to launch the clinical development of CMN-008 (armored CAR-CIK cells), with CD19 as the initial target in B-cell malignancies.
Over half of the children with high-risk neuroblastoma experience late relapses caused by minimal residual disease. Since chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has shown efficacy against minimal residual disease in pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies, several CAR T-cell therapies are being investigated for neuroblastoma.
Mesothelin (MSLN) glycoprotein is overexpressed in many solid tumors and is considered a relevant target for antigen-specific therapies. In fact, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy against MSLN has shown promising results in preclinical models, as well as safety in a phase I trial.
Researchers from Caribou Biosciences Inc. presented preclinical data for the novel BCMA-specific allogeneic CAR T-cell therapy candidate, CB-011, being developed for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. A genome editing strategy was implemented in the production of CB-011 to blunt CAR T-cell rejection by both patient T cells and natural killer (NK) cells.
Researchers from Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer and affiliated organizations have reported the development of novel dual CD19/BCMA CAR T cells, referred to as ARI-0003, developed through co-transduction of two lentiviral vectors encoding CARs targeting CD19 (ARI-0001) and BCMA (ARI-0002h).
Coeptis Therapeutics Holdings Inc. has entered into a sponsored research agreement with the University of Pittsburgh to advance preclinical development of SNAP-CAR T cells targeting HER2, and to explore opportunities to expand the applicability of SNAP-CAR in oncology.
Sana Biotechnology Inc. has received FDA clearance of its IND application to initiate a first-in-human study of SC-291 in patients with various B-cell malignancies. Initial clinical data from the study are expected later this year. SC-291 is a CD19-targeted allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy developed using Sana's hypoimmune platform.
Immpact Bio USA Inc. has announced clearance of its IND application by the FDA for IMPT-314, a bispecific OR-Gate autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy targeting the B-cell antigens CD19 and CD20.