Iaso Biotherapeutics Inc. raised ¥500 million (US$75 million) in a series C1 round as looks for its first drug approval by China after its NDA was accepted for what is claimed to be the first B-cell maturation antigen-targeting CAR T-cell therapy in China.
CAR T specialist Carsgen Therapeutics Holdings Ltd. out-licensed commercial rights for its B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) CAR T therapy, CT-053, in mainland China to Huadong Medicine Co Ltd. in a deal worth up to $152 million.
Researchers at GM Biosciences Inc. have reported developed a novel CD38xCD3 bispecific IgM T-cell engager IGM-2644 with 10 binding sites for human CD38 (Kd=0.27nM; measured by biolayer interferometry) and one anti-CD3 site (Kd=2.1nM) designed to reduce safety concerns.
Multiple myeloma (MM) represents about 10% of all blood cancers, remaining an incurable disease with a 5-year overall survival rate of 56%. B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is a receptor in the cell surface that is highly expressed in malignant plasma cells, and in normal cells, that promotes cell proliferation and survival by binding to APRIL and BAFF ligands.
G-protein coupled receptor family C group 5 member D (GPRC5D) is a tumor-associated receptor that is highly expressed in multiple myeloma (MM) and is a potential target for therapy in MM. Preclinical data have been presented for FT-555, an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived CAR-NK (CAR-iNK) cell product that exerts dual targeting on GPRC5D and CD38 in combination with daratumumab.
Researchers from Cytovia Therapeutics Inc. have presented preclinical data for the novel natural killer (NK) cell engager antibody CYT-338, which was designed using the proprietary FLEX-NKTM platform. CYT-338 contains a novel FLEX-linker to redirect NK cells expressing NKp46 activation receptor to kill CD38-expressing tumors, including multiple myeloma (MM). It was observed that the addition of CYT-338 led to dose-dependent enhancement iNK and PBNK cytolysis of the MM tumor spheroids.
Researchers from Kbluebio Inc. and affiliated organizations recently reported the discovery and preclinical evaluation of a novel prohibitin-2 (PHB2) ligand as a potential candidate for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM).
Starton Therapeutics Inc. has reported findings from a preclinical efficacy study of STAR-LLD, a continuous delivery system of lenalidomide, in a lenalidomide-resistant animal model. The 28-day efficacy study evaluated STAR-LLD continuous subcutaneous (s.c.) infusion versus intraperitoneal (i.p.) lenalidomide in immunomodulatory drug (IMiD)-resistant RPMI CB.17 SCID mice.
Ichnos Sciences Inc. has presented data on the first-in-class trispecific BCMA and CD38 T-cell engager ISB-2001, which is based on the company’s TREAT (Trispecific Engagement by Antibodies based on the TCR) technology. The compound targets CD3 on T cells and cotargets BCMA and CD38 on multiple myeloma (MM) cells.
