viveNKTM
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-engineered NK cells are today one of the most attractive and innovative pre-clinical candidates in cellular immunotherapy. NK cells are cells of the body's innate immune system that are capable of mediating anti-cancer effects without the risk of inducing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). NK cells therefore are well suited as off-the-shelf therapy for cancer treatment; a single batch produced by a healthy donor can be used to treat a large number of patients with cancer.
Currently Glycostem is collaborating with various partners experienced in advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP) to develop genetically-engineered NK cells, viveNKTM. These second-generation products with dedicated functionality, like CAR-engineered NK cells, enhance tumor targeting, prolong persistence and have fewer side effects compared to current CAR-T treatments. Off-the-shelf CAR-NK cells are currently one of the most promising and desirable cellular immunotherapy platforms, as they are able to overcome the limitations derived from personalized autologous therapies – with significant benefits over the latter in terms of safety, technical and economical point of view.