Two London universities and Cell Therapy Catapult announce collaboration
To advance leukaemia cell therapy
A novel cell therapy approach to the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia is to be developed further through a partnership between the UK's Cell Therapy Catapult, UCL Business (UCLB) and Imperial Innovations.
The new therapy was developed initially at Imperial College and then at UCL by scientists funded by the charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. It targets disorders associated with overexpression of the WT1 antigen, such as acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. As part of the partnership, the Cell Therapy Catapult will work to accelerate the delivery of Phase I/II clinical trials.
A joint venture called Catapult Therapy TCR, formed by UCLB, Imperial Innovations and the Cell Therapy Catapult, will take responsibility for the further development of the new therapy. The technology transfer companies have contributed their relevant patents and expertise to Catapult Therapy TCR, and will be eligible for late-stage development milestones and royalties as the therapy progresses. The Cell Therapy Catapult will invest up to £10m to take the therapy into and through Phase II trials.
The product is a gene-modified T-cell receptor therapy targeting WT1-overexpressing cells, with potential in the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia and haematological disorders such as myelodysplastic syndrome. It involves modification by gene therapy of the patient's T cells, so that they recognise and destroy WT1-expressing cells when infused back into the body.
The clinical trials are expected to enrol their first subjects in 2015.
Manufacture is being undertaken at the UCL Institute of Child Health/Great Ormond Street Hospital cell therapy production unit led by Professor Adrian Thrasher and Dr Waseem Qasim.
Keith Thompson, CEO of the Cell Therapy Catapult, said: 'We are very excited to be driving the advance of this important immune therapy with the potential to bring significant benefit to patients. The collaboration and formation of the new company is a great example of the way in which the Cell Therapy Catapult can catalyse the progress of innovative cell therapies towards commercialisation, helping create a vibrant cell therapy industry in the UK.'
Professor Chris Bunce, Research Director at Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, added: 'Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research has funded this highly promising cell-based immune therapy from its development in the laboratory to the transition into clinical trials. The Cell Therapy Catapult’s investment to accelerate this trial is great news for patients with these hard-to-treat blood cancers, who often do not respond to traditional drugs like chemotherapy.'