On September 15, 2026 Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TPST) ("Tempest"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing in vivo CAR-T therapies designed to reset dysfunctional immunity in cancer and autoimmune disease, reported that it has entered into an exclusive option agreement with Hebei Senlang Biotechnology Co., Ltd. ("Senlang").

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The agreement provides Tempest with an exclusive option to license Senlang’s CD7-targeted lentiviral vector platform and a portfolio of in vivo CAR-T product candidates. The portfolio includes a BCMA/GPRC5D dual-targeting in vivo CAR-T candidate currently in Phase 1 dose escalation for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, as well as additional candidates for hematologic malignancies and autoimmune diseases.

"This agreement represents an important step in building Tempest as a multi-platform in vivo CAR-T company focused on immune reset for oncology and autoimmune indications," said Matt Angel, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Tempest. "Upon exercise of the option, the CD7-targeted lentiviral platform would complement our targeted LNP platform, providing two distinct approaches to generating CAR-T cells directly within patients. The lead program is currently in clinical development and has demonstrated in vivo CAR-T generation and expansion, providing encouraging early clinical support."

Senlang’s proprietary platform uses targeted lentiviral vectors to deliver CAR transgenes to endogenous CD7-positive T cells and natural killer cells, generating CAR-T and CAR-NK cells directly within the patient. The approach is designed to avoid the individualized cell collection and external manufacturing required for conventional autologous CAR-T therapy. The lead program encodes a dual-targeting CAR directed against BCMA and GPRC5D, two clinically validated targets in multiple myeloma. Targeting both antigens may broaden malignant plasma-cell coverage and reduce the potential for tumor escape associated with the loss or downregulation of a single antigen.

The candidate is currently being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 1 dose-escalation study in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Early clinical observations at the current highest evaluable dose demonstrate successful generation and expansion of CAR-T cells in vivo. As of August 25, 2026, no Grade 3 or higher cytokine release syndrome and no immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome were observed. The initial safety profile supports continued dose escalation, and patient enrollment and follow-up remain ongoing.

"Together, our targeted LNP and targeted lentiviral vector platforms are intended to support a broad portfolio of immune reset therapies," said Dr. Angel. "The LNP platform offers a potentially repeatable approach to transient CAR expression, while the lentiviral platform is designed to support durable CAR-cell generation. These complementary capabilities provide Tempest with the flexibility to match the delivery approach to the biology and treatment requirements of different cancers and autoimmune diseases."

Tempest and Senlang will continue to evaluate the Phase 1 results and the broader product portfolio during the option period. Tempest expects to provide additional information regarding the program as the clinical data mature.

About Senlang’s CD-7-Directed Lentiviral Platform

Senlang has a pipeline of in vivo CAR-T cell programs utilizing its CD7-directed lentiviral platform, which is designed to selectively deliver CAR payloads to endogenous CD7-positive T cells and NK cells, enabling in vivo generation of antigen-directed CAR immune cells. Proprietary nanobody-based retargeting promotes selective cell engagement and efficient transduction, while an engineered detargeted cocal envelope is intended to improve serum resistance, particle stability, and functional delivery in the bloodstream. Producer-cell engineering adds an immune-shielding feature to the lentiviral delivery particles, helping them remain functional longer in the bloodstream and improving delivery to CD7-positive immune cells. In preclinical studies, the platform demonstrated enhanced transduction in whole blood and resting PBMCs, and a single low-dose administration produced efficient in vivo transduction, rapid CAR-cell expansion, tumor-site enrichment, and durable tumor regression in mouse models.

(Press release, Tempest Therapeutics, SEP 15, 2026, View Source [SID1234670873])