Bryet US Inc. has received Australian Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) approval for its first-in-human study of ML-016 for patients with advanced cancer with lung and/or liver involvement. Enrollment in the phase I/II trial will begin early next year.

The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been tied to ineffective immune control of Epstein-Barr virus-driven autoimmune responses. Patients with MS are deficient in protective adaptive natural killer cells (pNK cells) in contrast to healthy individuals. These pNK cells are positive for NKG2A, NKG2C and NKG2D and recognize and kill autoreactive B cells in a selective and efficient manner.

Complement Therapeutics GmbH has obtained clearance for CTx-001, a gene therapy candidate.

Fractyl Health Inc. has announced data on RJVA-002, a dual GIP/GLP-1 gene therapy candidate.

As the many challenges facing cell therapies are being addressed, the CAR T field continues to evolve beyond its original design of T cells engineered to target hematological malignancies. During the 32nd Annual Congress of the European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ESGCT), held in Seville Oct. 7-10, several studies showed how this technology is being redefined as programmable and adaptable immune cells with expanded functional versatility.