Chimeric Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:CHM) has signed a sponsored research agreement with the University of Pennsylvania to support the continued research and development of CHM 2101, a novel third-generation CDH17 CAR T cell therapy.
The research will focus on furthering the development of CHM 2101 with preclinical studies in gastrointestinal cancers, enhancing the understanding of CHM 2101 through correlative studies and investigating CDH17 directed follow on candidates.
Notably, the program will be led by one of the inventors of CHM 2101, Xianxin Hua, who is the professor of Cancer Biology in Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine, and an investigator at the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute.
Looking ahead, Chimeric continues to make excellent progress towards a phase 1 clinical trial for CHM 2101 in neuroendocrine tumours and gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas.
“Further research and development”
Chimeric CEO Jennifer Chow said: “We are pleased to announce this research agreement as it reflects our shared commitment to the further research and development of CHM 2101 with Dr Hua and the University of Pennsylvania.
“We are also thrilled with the progress we have made on driving this important therapy to clinic and are excited as the execution of this agreement will enhance our ability to move forward with that goal.”
As part of the agreement, Chimeric has the first right of negotiation to license University of Pennsylvania intellectual property arising from the conduct of the sponsored research.
Quarterly progress
Chimeric ended the December quarter in a strong financial position, with $13.4 million in cash and equivalents as it progresses the development of CLTX CAR T and initiate the development of a cell therapy pipeline.
Key highlights of the quarter included:
- Exclusive option to licence transformative CORE-NK platform obtained, enabling the accelerated development of multiple next generation NK and CAR-NK products;
- Four new Chimeric assets to initiate development beginning in 2022, leveraging the company’s existing portfolio of CARs;
- Initial positive phase 1 clinical data presented for lowest dose level (44 X 106 CLTX CAR T cells), with therapy generally well tolerated and a 75% disease control rate for up to 8 weeks;
- Completion of CLTX CAR T dose level 2 with no dose limiting toxicities; dose level 3 enrollment open;
- Manufacturing for CHM 2101 research grade plasmids successfully completed, a critical first step in the development of CDH17 CAR T; and
- Dr Eliot Bourk promoted to role of chief business officer (CBO) and head of External Innovation.