- Proof-of-concept data reported for new multi-antigen engager platform (VY-GAGE) designed to overcome solid tumor defense mechanisms
- Single-step CD45 allogeneic cell engineering platform (VY-UC) shown to offer significant benefits as alternative to complex gene-editing systems
TAMPA, FLORIDA & STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – October 4, 2023 – Vycellix, Inc., a transformational cell and gene engineering company with the mission to integrate its process-enhancing tools into the development and commercialization of next-generation, donor-derived medicines, including off-the-shelf T cell and natural killer (NK) cell-based cancer therapeutics, today announced that its scientific leadership delivered multiple presentations at NK2023 in Oslo, Norway, highlighting the Company’s proprietary platforms to optimize and improve cell therapy manufacturing and treatment outcomes. Vycellix’s founding medical scientists and SAB members moderated and participated in multiple NK cell sessions and new data were disclosed in a series of poster presentations. NK2023 was the 20th Annual Meeting arranged by the Society of Natural Immunity.
Vycellix’s senior scientific team reported new data and results in the following posters:
- “Plasma Membrane Embedded System for Spaciotemporal Controlled Payload Delivery by Natural Killer Cells”, VY-GAGE platform presented by Vycellix senior consulting scientist, Dara Mohammad, Ph.D., Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
“VY-GAGE is a novel peptide capable of delivering multiple disease-targeting payloads specifically to tumor sites, including deploying potent BiKEs (bispecific killer cell engagers) and CARs (chimeric antigen receptors). We have shown this approach to work in pre-clinical models by loading GAGE into NK cells. As a broad platform, we look forward to demonstrating the adaptability of this strategy in many other kinds of cells, including T cells. Our aim is to develop highly-targeted, highly-specific cell therapies that can deliver high doses of disease-targeting agents, but are also safer and more effective by minimizing ‘on-target, off-tumor’ adverse events,” reported Dr. Mohammad.
- “Generation of Universal Cellular Grafts Utilizing Signaling-Deficient Membrane-Bound CD45”, VY-UC platform presented by Vycellix senior consulting scientist, Alamdar Hussain, Ph.D., Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
“Our VY-UC data show that the insertion of a novel CD45-engager transduced into virtually any cell represents a compelling alternative to complex and costly gene-editing systems such as CRISPR-Cas9 to engineer fully immune privileged cells. When we introduce VY-UC into donor cells and deliver to host, functional immune synapse formation is prevented resulting in abrogation of cellular immune response, thus, eliminating the risk of graft rejection. Importantly, our VY-UC engineered donor cells demonstrate persistence, retention of function, and avoidance of host immune rejection,” reported Dr. Hussain.
Vycellix’s platforms were all discovered by scientists at the world-renowned Karolinska Institutet (KI) in Stockholm, Sweden. The Company is also a collaborative partner in “NextGenNK”, an international Competence Center for the development of next-generation NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies based at KI and funded by Sweden’s innovations agency, Vinnova. KI is globally recognized for its Nobel Assembly, which awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
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About Vycellix™, Inc.
Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, with scientific operations in Stockholm, Sweden, Vycellix has developed a broad suite of cell therapy engineering solutions with the mission to deploy these collective tools to develop and commercialize optimized, next-generation T cell and Natural Killer (NK) cell-based cancer therapies. Leveraging the Company’s transformational VY-UC universal cell technology, Vycellix is engineering immune-privileged effector cells without altering the components that control self-recognition (HLA) and obviating the need for immune-suppressive drugs in the contexts of allogeneic cell therapies, hence redefining “off-the-shelf” donor-cell-based treatment strategies. Beyond VY-UC, the Company’s cell engineering tools represent ideal solutions to enhance gene delivery, accelerate cell expansion, amplify cell potency, and optimize muti-antigen engagement.
Forward Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts are “forward-looking statements,” including those relating to future events. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “plan,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “project,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “intend,” or “continue” and other words or terms of similar meaning. These statements include, without limitation, statements related to the pre-clinical, regulatory, clinical and/or commercial development and all anticipated uses of VY-OZ, VY-X, VY-M, VY-GAGE and VY-UC, and the Company’s plans for seeking out-licensing opportunities for these assets. These forward-looking statements are based on current plans, objectives, estimates, expectations and intentions, and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with immuno-discovery product development, including risks associated with advancing products to human clinical trials and/or ultimately regulatory and commercial success which is subject to the uncertainty of regulatory approval, market adoption and other risks and uncertainties affecting Vycellix and its development programs. Other risks and uncertainties of which Vycellix is not currently aware may also affect Vycellix’s forward-looking statements and may cause actual results and the timing of events to differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date hereof. Vycellix undertakes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information, future events, changes in its expectations or other circumstances that exist after the date as of which the forward-looking statements were made.
Vycellix Corporate Contact:
Douglas W. Calder, President
Phone: (772)-418-6302
Email: [email protected]