Arovella Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:ALA), a biotechnology company focused on developing its invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cell therapy platform, has expanded its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) through the appointment of CAR-iNKT cell pioneer Professor Gianpietro Dotti.
As one of only several companies globally developing CAR-iNKT cells for cancer treatment, the appointment is expected to strengthen Arovella’s expertise in using these cells for blood cancers and solid tumours.
Pioneer in field
Professor Dotti is a pioneer and one of the first individuals to create CAR-iNKT cell strategies for cancer treatment and he has been involved in the development of two products using CAR-iNKT cells that have been used in blood cancer patients and paediatric patients with neuroblastoma.
As such, his appointment to the SAB is expected to be a valuable addition to Arovella and its ongoing programs with CEO and MD Dr Michael Baker stating: “We are honoured and grateful to have someone of Giampietro’s calibre join our Scientific Advisory Board."
“A valuable addition”
Professor Dotti has spent more than 20 years using his medical and scientific training to create engineered immune cells for cancer treatment and he has played an integral role developing CAR-iNKT cell therapeutics in solid tumours in paediatric patients.
His research has led to more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and he has consistently received the Highly Cited Researchers (Top 1%) award from Web of Science, Clarivate Analytics in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
"He is a remarkable individual, and his scientific involvement in developing and manufacturing CAR-iNKT cells will be a valuable addition to Arovella and our ongoing programs, which are now funded to take into clinical trials,” Dr Baker said.
"We warmly welcome Gianpietro to Arovella’s Scientific Advisory Board.”
Qualifications
Professor Dotti received his medical degree from the University of Milan, Italy, and completed his clinical training and Board certification in haematology from the University of Parma.
He completed his post-doctoral fellowship at the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.
Professor Dotti is currently a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Director of the Cellular Immunotherapy Program at Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of North Carolina.