On October 20, 2020 Ankarys Therapeutics Inc. (Ankarys), Applied StemCell, Inc. (ASC), and HebeCell Corp. (HebeCell) reported that they have entered into a strategic collaboration to co-develop allogeneic induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) NK cell therapeutics targeting hematological malignancies (Press release, HebeCell, OCT 20, 2020, View Source [SID1234571033]).
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The collaboration will leverage Ankarys’ cGMP iPSC lines, proprietary CAR constructs, and FailSafe cell engineering technology. Ankarys will lead the Canadian CTA/US IND-enabling studies and launch a Phase I clinical trial in Canada and US.
ASC will use its proprietary TARGATT gene editing technology to insert the proprietary CAR constructs into Ankarys’ iPSC lines.
HebeCell will differentiate the CAR expressing iPSCs into NK cells using its proprietary 3D bioreactor platform and will be the manufacturing partner for the collaboration throughout the preclinical, clinical, and commercialization phases of the product.
"Our unique TARGATT gene insertion technology has multiple applications in immunotherapy and regenerative Medicine" said Dr. Ruby Yanru Tsai, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of ASC. "I am very excited to see TARGATT technology being used in generating iPSC-derived CAR-NK therapeutic products."
Dr. Allen Feng, the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of HebeCell added "We are thrilled to start this collaboration with Ankarys and ASC as all three companies have a shared goal of achieving the unmet needs in the immuno-oncology field,"
"This collaborative partnership builds on the unique complementary strengths and resources to rapidly deploy off-the-shelf CAR-NK products for all patients." Dr. Armand Keating, Founder of Ankarys said. "We are excited to be working with ASC and HebeCell, and believe our platform technologies will alter the NK cell therapy field by delivering cost effective allogeneic therapies worldwide."