FT836 is an allogeneic, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell directed towards a novel and conserved domain of the stress ligands major histocompatibility complex (MHC) A (MICA) and B (MICB), which are enriched on the surface of many types of cancer cells with limited detection on healthy tissue. In addition to its unique CAR based recognition strategy which has the potential for universal targeting in solid tumors, FT836 also incorporates a number of transgene edits designed specifically to (i) combine with standard of care monoclonal antibody therapies to flexibly target multiple different proteins on the surface of cancer cells, (ii) resist and avoid the patient-derived immune responses directed to the product, (iii) traffic to, and (iv) functionally persist within solid tumors. Finally, it is designed to be administered to patients without the need for toxic and costly conditioning chemotherapy which has limited patient access to other CAR T therapies.
During the award period for this TRAN1 grant, we successfully:
- Engineered iPSCs with a total of six transgenes in 3 separate genomic locations. Selected and released iPSC master cell bank.
- Validated differentiation procedures for manufacturing and developed analytical assays to support product characterization, potency, and purity.
- Submitted and cleared an IND application for FT836 in advanced solid tumors.
