Cell therapy platforms

CAR-T cell platform – Accessing a new treatment entity for solid tumors

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cells are specific immune cells with a genetically engineered receptor (CAR), a special binding protein linked to an activating domain, to target naturally occurring tumor antigens on the surface of cancer cells – thus helping the body to address cancers that it would not be able to combat on its own. Addressing one of the major challenges in harnessing the power of CAR T cell therapies for solid tumors, we are developing a new generation of CAR T cell candidates targeting novel solid-tumor-specific antigens identified from our proprietary antigen library. 

Currently, the two major limitations hampering the efficacy of CAR T cell therapies in solid tumor indications are insufficient penetration of the dense tumor tissue by T cells and gradual loss of T cell function over time. To overcome these hurdles, we have combined our CAR T cell approach with an mRNA cancer vaccine (CAR T cell Amplifying RNA Vaccine, CARVac) based on our mRNA-lipoplex technology. The CARVac delivers the blueprint of the respective CAR T target antigen for production in antigen-presenting cells, thereby aiming to boost CAR T cell activity and persistence.