On November 17, 2021 Abintus Bio, Inc. (Abintus), a company pioneering first-in-class, off-the-shelf medicines that reprogram cells directly in vivo, reported that it has entered into an agreement with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for the use of its next generation signaling technology ("1XX") in Abintus’ In Vivo CAR-X products (Press release, Abintus Bio, NOV 17, 2021, View Source [SID1234595747]). These products have the potential to overcome the challenges of ex vivo CAR technologies and dramatically improve outcomes and access for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
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"Having the opportunity to directly reprogram the innate and adaptive immune cell subsets with retroviral vectors, while also extending CAR immune cell function and persistence with 1XX, is an advantage for Abintus’ approach and has the potential to establish potent anti-tumor immune responses," said Michel Sadelain, M.D., Ph.D., MSK’s Director of the Center for Cell Engineering and inventor of 1XX signaling technology. "I look forward to our continued support as these products advance towards clinical investigation."
1XX signaling technology is designed to improve the persistence of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered cells by sustaining cellular effector functions without exhaustion. To date, 1XX CARs have demonstrated superior preclinical activity compared to conventional CAR technologies in certain hematologic and solid tumors including B-cell malignancies, mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer. 1XX CARs are currently under clinical evaluation in multiple cancers. In Vivo CAR-X products are designed to simultaneously target both adaptive and innate immune effector cells, including active T cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells, to produce a potent and durable immune response against hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, and improve patient outcomes and access.
"For in vivo reprogramming to have a profound impact, it will require safe and well tolerated gene delivery and functional expression as well as manufacturing that can scale to meet the patient need," said Malcolm Brenner, M.D., Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, Director of the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at the Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Houston Methodist Hospital and advisor. "Abintus’ retroviral technology is an ideal platform for in vivo reprogramming because it addresses these key criteria, and has a compelling precedent for safety, tolerability and proof of principle in patients with intravenous administration. Adding 1XX signaling technology further strengthens Abintus’ differentiated approach."
Abintus’ initial products targeting hematologic and solid tumors are poised to enter clinical evaluation as early as 2023.
"One of the most exciting and impactful areas of research is the reprogramming of cells directly inside a patient. Inspired by nature, Abintus’ in vivo reprogramming technology is designed to empower patients with a diverse team of living drugs that can launch a coordinated attack against their cancer," said Nicholas A. Boyle, Ph.D., CEO and cofounder of Abintus. "The insights gained from our historical observations with in vivo reprogramming in patients, combined with 1XX technology and our commercial-ready manufacturing process, positions our company with the knowhow, technology and experience to make in vivo genetic medicines a reality for patients."