UK Pharmaceutical Companies Collaborate on CAR-T Cell Immuno-oncology Therapies

Cell Therapy Catapult, University of Birmingham, and Cancer Research Technology announced on Jan. 6, 2016 the launch of a collaboration to develop a new immuno-oncology cellular therapy created modifying the genes of T-cells to target solid tumors.

The project is aimed at translating an academic discovery program into a commercially viable cell therapy. It is funded by Cancer Research United Kingdom (UK) and was developed by Steven Lee, PhD, and Professor Roy Bicknell, both of whom are from the University of Birmingham. The collaborating partners have launched a new company-Chimeric Therapeutics Limited-to manage all future intellectual property rights of any of the resulting discoveries.

The project is based on a new generation chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) immuno-oncology therapy for solid tumors. This involves directing the CAR-T cell towards a new, highly specific marker of tumor angiogenesis, CLEC14a. This therapy will act as a vasculature disruptive agent, compromising oxygen supply to the tumors and inhibiting growth. The technology is currently undergoing the final stages of preclinical development an will enter into clinical trials in the near future.

According to a press announcement from the Cell Therapy Catapult, the company will assist in accelerating the translation of the academic discoveries around CAR-T immunotherapies for solid tumors and the CLEC14a target towards a commercially available cell therapy.

Source: Cell Therapy Catapult