GC Cell exports T-cell lymphoma drug technology to US affiliate

GC Cell logo (Photo by GC Cell)

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] GC Cell announced on the 4th that it has signed a technology licensing agreement for the T-cell lymphoma treatment 'AB-205' with its U.S. affiliate Artiva Biotherapeutics.

The licensed technology, 'AB-205,' is an allogeneic umbilical cord blood-derived NK cell therapy equipped with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting CD5, which is expressed in T-cell lymphoma. Currently, T-cell lymphoma has very limited treatment options beyond chemotherapy, resulting in a significant unmet need. Although CAR-T cell therapies are being developed, difficulties in culturing and manufacturing have led to attention on off-the-shelf CAR-NK therapies as a new modality to overcome these challenges.

GC Cell’s proprietary CAR-NK platform technology is developing a CD5-targeting CAR-NK therapy that has demonstrated reduced side effects and superior efficacy in preclinical trials compared to CAR-T therapies, positioning it as a first-in-class drug in the T-cell lymphoma treatment field. GC Cell will lead the Phase 1 clinical trial in cooperation with Artiva, meeting the guidelines of both the Korean and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Subsequently, Artiva and GC Cell plan to jointly develop Phase 2 clinical trials in the North American and Asian markets, respectively.

Daewoo Park, CEO of GC Cell, stated, “Although the results of allogeneic CAR-NK cell therapies are still minimal domestically, we plan to demonstrate global competitiveness through the domestic clinical advancement and rapid commercialization of AB-205.” He added, “GC Cell and Artiva are strengthening global competitiveness through a strategic partnership, and as a result, joint research and development (R&D) with MSD (Merck & Co., U.S.) is progressing smoothly.”

Fred Aslan, CEO of Artiva, said, “GC Cell and Artiva are optimal partners, demonstrating the best synergy in R&D, clinical, and business development in their respective fields. Through strategic target market setting, we are moving toward the shared goal of developing innovative new drugs.”

Previously, GC Cell and Artiva signed technology licensing agreements for the umbilical cord blood-derived NK cell therapy ‘AB-101,’ HER2-targeting CAR-NK therapy ‘AB-201,’ and CD19-targeting CAR-NK therapy ‘AB-202.’ With this agreement, the fourth pipeline, the CD5-targeting CAR-NK therapy ‘AB-205,’ will be added for development. Currently, ‘AB-101’ is undergoing Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials in the U.S., and ‘AB-201’ has received approval for its U.S. Phase 1 and 2 clinical trial application (IND) and plans to enter clinical trials this year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.