Cimeio Therapeutics Inc. has entered into a preclinical research collaboration with a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) to research and evaluate a novel universal immunotherapy with potential to treat multiple blood and bone marrow cancers.

Sparx Group has formed a strategic alliance with Arovella Therapeutics Ltd. for the development of a CLDN18.2-chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapy.

Glycotope GmbH and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association have signed an agreement to explore the potential of combining Glycotope’s antibodies against protein/carbohydrate combined glyco-epitopes (Glycotargets) with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology developed by the Max Delbrück Center.

A new method of CAR T-cell immunotherapy developed by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine could serve as a treatment for most blood cancers. Until now, CAR T-based immunotherapy for hematological malignancies has targeted the antigens CD19 for B cells, CD7 for T cells, BCMA for myeloma, and CD33 for AML.

Leucid Bio Ltd. has received approval from the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to commence a phase I/II trial of LEU-011 for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory solid tumors.

Verismo Therapeutics Inc. has entered into a licensing agreement with the University of Pennsylvania for worldwide exclusive rights for two newly discovered anti-CD19 binders, the result of a sponsored research agreement between the two parties.

Cytomed Therapeutics Ltd. has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hangzhou CNK Therapeutics Co. Ltd. allowing Cytomed to utilize CNK's Piggybac technology to permanently graft the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) gene into its γδ T cells via a non-viral gene editing method.

Immpact Bio USA Inc. has received FDA clearance of its IND application for IMPT-514, a bispecific CD19/CD20 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T therapy for the treatment of active, refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

CAR T-cell immunotherapy is designed with different targets depending on the receptors they will bind to. CARs can also contain different tools, like the concept of a Swiss army knife, with several utensils for different tasks. The goal is to make them more effective and durable. During the second session of the Spotlight on Immuno-Oncology conference, “Novel CAR designs and approaches,” Robbie Majzner, of Stanford University, described expanding the main components of CAR T cells to acquire new functions and act on different cell pathways.

“From such a stick, such a splinter,” is a popular Spanish saying to explain how a son resembles his father. Like father, like son. The first Spotlight on Immuno-Oncology conference of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) is the splinter of the ASGCT annual meeting, which brought together a group of experts in this field. It took place on Aug. 1 and 2, 2023, starting with a series of talks on “B Cell Malignancies and Beyond.”