Chimeric Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:CHM) has expanded its licensing agreement with the University of Pennsylvania to include non-exclusive access to its lentiviral vector plasmid system, a viral vector technology critical for the manufacture of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells.
Licensing of this technology will support Chimeric’s efforts to develop and commercialise its CHM 2101 CDH17 CAR T technology, offering improved safety as a third-generation technology.
The amended licence agreement with Pennsylvania University will allow CHM to manufacture clinical-grade lentiviral vector for use in its planned Phase 1 study of CHM2101 for gastrointestinal cancers.
Chimeric will also be able to cross-reference regulatory information on file with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to support the filing of an investigational new drug (IND) designation for CHM 2101.
CDH17 CAR T technology
CHM 2101 (CDH17 CAR T) is based on a novel third-generation iteration of the CDH17 CAR T technology invented by the University of Pennsylvania.
The treatment is at a pre-clinical development stage, with plans for a Phase 1 clinical trial assessing neuroendocrine tumours, colorectal, gastroesophageal and gastric cancer already in the works.
Preclinical data has indicated a particular efficacy in solid tumours, having demonstrated the complete eradication of tumour cells with no relapse and no toxicity to normal tissue.