Chimeric Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:CHM) has entered into an exclusive licence agreement with Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Ohio for the CORE-NK platform.
Notably, the CORE-NK platform, also known as CHM 0201, uses a novel, proprietary genetically modified feeder cell line to activate and expand universal off-the-shelf allogeneic NK cell products derived from healthy donors.
Under the agreement, Chimeric gains exclusive global rights to the CORE-NK platform for oncology, where Chimeric and CWRU are advancing multiple product candidates under the new sponsored research agreement.
Initial phase one clinical trial results of the platform were published demonstrating safety and encouraging activity in blood cancers and solid tumours.
Consequently, a new clinical trial has been initiated using the CORE NK cells in combination with Vactosertib.
“Builds significant value”
Chimeric managing director Jennifer Chow said: “We are excited to continue building on our collaboration with CWRU with the definitive licence agreement for the CORE-NK platform.
“This transaction builds significant value for Chimeric, first by bringing a highly promising and clinically de-risked asset with CHM 0201 fully into our portfolio, and second by establishing the foundation for a suite of next-generation genetically modified NK cell products.”
Phase one trial
Chimeric’s NK cell therapy portfolio foundational asset, CHM 0201, was studied in phase 1 clinical trial at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in Ohio.
Clinical results published earlier this year in the journal Transplantation and Cellular Therapy demonstrated safety with no GvHD (Graft versus host disease), NK cell persistence for at least 28 days, and encouraging early activity signals, particularly in blood cancers where all patients achieved disease control and one patient achieved a complete response that was sustained for over 15 months at the time of study publication.
Chimeric’s exclusive global licence from CWRU covers patent rights, know-how and biological materials for the NKF feeder cell line and CORE-NK manufacturing process in the fields of use, including access to regulatory documents for the first-in-human Phase 1 trial of CHM 0201.
CORE-NK platform
Chimeric’s CORE-NK platform is a clinically validated, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell platform.
The expanded CORE-NK cells exhibit enhanced cytotoxicity, metabolism and expression of activating receptors compared to fresh, activated NK cells
From the CORE-NK platform, Chimeric will initiate the development of four new next-generation NK and CAR NK assets with plans for phase one clinical trials in solid tumour