Avalon GloboCare Corp (NASDAQ:AVCO) has said it is expanding its cellular immuno-oncology program with the addition of novel Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Natural Killer (CAR-NK) cell therapies.
Natural killer (NK) cells constitute an important component of the immune system. NK cells seek out abnormal cells, including cancerous cells, and destroy them.
However, Avalon noted that cancer cells are often capable of "masking" themselves to evade attack by NK cells. But by adding a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) to a patient's own or universal-donor NK cells, these engineered CAR-NK cells are designed to "unmask," recognize and destroy a patient's specific tumor surface targets.
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New Jersey-based Avalon said it is leveraging its mRNA-based FLASH-CAR platform to develop autologous and universal ("off-the-shelf") CAR-NK technology and cellular therapies for the potential treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Avalon plans to expand its clinical program in collaboration with its major clinical trial partner, the Lu Daopei Hospital.
The new CAR-NK therapies in development are intended to build upon and complement AVA-011, Avalon's lead CAR-T candidate, part of the company's proprietary mRNA-based FLASH-CAR platform.
AVA-011 is currently at the investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling, process development stage, which is expected to produce clinical-grade CAR-T cells for an upcoming clinical trial in patients with hematological malignancies.
The platform uses next-generation CAR technology to modify patients' T or universal-donor NK cells using a ribonucleic acid (RNA)-based platform rather than a viral vector, allowing for more rapid and lower-cost bio-manufacturing of the cell therapy products.
To further strengthen its CAR-NK development capabilities, Avalon said it has appointed Dr. Dongfang Liu to its Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board.
Dr. Liu is currently an Associate Professor and Director of Immunoassay Development Program at the Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine at The Rutgers University New Jersey Medical School. His research expertise is focused on the immunobiology of NK and CAR-NK, with more than 20 years of experience in NK cell research.
"CAR-NK represents a powerful and innovative tool in the fight against cancer, and we believe our mRNA-based FLASH-CAR platform will enable us to develop best-in-class therapies," said Avalon CEO Dr. David Jin in a statement.
"We are especially pleased to welcome Dr. Dongfang Liu to our Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board. Dr. Liu will become an invaluable part of the team in expanding and supporting Avalon's pipeline. We also appreciate the support of our world-class clinical partners, including the researchers and clinicians at the prestigious Lu Daopei Hospital, as we develop our cellular immuno-oncology programs for hematologic malignancies as well as other unmet medical needs.”
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