Chimeric Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:CHM) has passed a key milestone in advancing the CHM 2101 CAR T cell therapy with completion of manufacturing and quality release for the viral vector.
The viral vector component is the backbone of CAR T cell manufacturing, holding the genetic engineering instructions from which to produce the therapy.
A recent shortage in vector manufacturing capacity has put a strain on other cell therapy company development programs as well as representing a challenge for commercial manufacturers.
A step toward clinical trials
“Vector supply continues to significantly challenge the cell therapy industry with current backlogs of more than a year to access vector manufacturing,” Chimeric CEO and managing director Jennifer Chow said.
“Securing vector supply for the CHM 2101 Phase 1A clinical trial marks a significant milestone for advancing CHM 2101 towards the clinic and patients that need novel therapies to treat advanced gastrointestinal and neuroendocrine tumours.”
CHM 2101 is a ‘first-in-class’, 3rd generation autologous CAR T cell therapy invented at the renowned cell therapy centre, the University of Pennsylvania.
Preclinical evidence has so far demonstrated strong indications of efficacy with complete eradication of eight different types of gastrointestinal cancers, with no relapse or toxicity.
CHM is also developing the CHM 1101 CLTX CAR T therapy, a novel therapy targeted at solid tumours, and the CHM 0201 (CORE-NK platform), an off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell platform targeting blood cancers and solid tumours.