On January 31, 2023 Coeptis Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: COEP) ("Coeptis" or "the Company"), a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative cell therapy platforms for cancer, reported a sponsored research agreement with the University of Pittsburgh to advance pre-clinical development of SNAP-CAR T cells targeting HER2 as well as identify opportunities to expand the applicability of SNAP-CAR in oncology (Press release, Coeptis Therapeutics, JAN 31, 2023, View Source [SID1234626686]). SNAP-CAR, which Coeptis licensed from the University of Pittsburgh, is a multi-antigen chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T) technology that can be adapted to different cancer indications, including hematologic and solid tumors.

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Under the terms of the sponsor research agreement, the University of Pittsburgh will conduct pre-clinical research on the SNAP-CAR technology necessary to enable the filing of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for clinical trials involving SNAP-CAR T cells targeting HER2-positive cancers. Specifically, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, led by principal investigator, Jason Lohmueller, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery and Immunology in the Division of Surgical Oncology Research, and Alexander Deiters, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry, will work in coordination with Coeptis’ CRO partner, IQVIA, to develop a treatment strategy for ovarian cancer (or other solid tumors) in animals and identify a lead candidate for first-in-human clinical development. HER2 is a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) that is overexpressed in approximately 28%1 of ovarian cancer tissues and 25% of patients with breast cancer2.

"We are very excited to continue our work with the University of Pittsburgh to advance the development of SNAP-CAR towards a potential first indication: HER2-expressing ovarian cancer," said Dave Mehalick, President and CEO of Coeptis Therapeutics Holdings. "If successful, this could represent a potential breakthrough in the treatment of HER2-positive cancers and the applicability of CAR T to treat a range of solid tumors, including ovarian and breast cancer, as well as hematologic cancers. We look forward to working with Dr. Lohmueller, Dr. Deiters, and the research team at the University of Pittsburgh, as well as IQVIA, to prioritize the initial target indication for advancing SNAP-CAR through the IND process and into the clinic."

"Current CAR T therapies are designed to target specific tumor antigens that correspond to a specific cancer indication. This approach has proven effective in certain cancer types but limits the applicability of those CAR T therapies," said Dr. Lohmueller. "SNAP-CAR has been designed as a ‘universal’ CAR T cell therapy platform that can be adapted to different tumor antigens and cancer indications. We are eager to work with the teams at Coeptis and IQVIA to begin the pre-clinical development of a potential lead candidate targeting HER2-positive ovarian cancer, as well as optimizing the platform to increase its value potential."

About SNAP-CAR
SNAP-CAR, which Coeptis Therapeutics licensed from the University of Pittsburgh, is designed to be a "universal" CAR T cell therapy platform that can be adapted to different cancer indications. Instead of directly binding to a target on the tumor cell, CAR T cells are co-administered with one or more antibody adaptors that bind to the tumor cells and are fitted with a chemical group that irreversibly connects them to the SNAP-CAR on the therapeutic cells via a covalent bond. Pre-clinical studies in mice have demonstrated that by targeting tumors via antibody adaptor molecules, the SNAP-CAR therapy provides a highly programmable therapeutic platform.