German biotechnology company Medigene and China-based EpimAb Biotherapeutics have partnered to research and develop T cell receptor (TCR)-guided T-cell engagers (TCR-TCEs).
The off-the-shelf TCR-TCEs developed under the collaboration are intended for the treatment of immune-related disorders, such as solid tumours.
The multi-target collaboration will leverage Medigene’s expertise in sensitive, specific and safe TCR generation and characterisation capabilities.
It will also use EpimAb’s unique CD3 antibody and T-FIT (TCR-Fab in tandem) platform.
The resultant bispecific therapeutics would provide highly specific targeted immune responses with minimised off-target effects and thus, improved patient outcomes.
The two companies will jointly develop TCR-TCEs, which will be equally owned by them.
Medigene CEO Selwyn Ho said: “We are delighted to partner with EpimAb and their proprietary T-FIT platform, which is well validated with strong clinical data and a number of prominent recent partnering deals, to develop potential best-in-class TCR-TCEs, leveraging our expert 3S TCR generation capabilities.
“This co-development agreement further expands the application of Medigene’s TCRs into off-the-shelf TCR-guided modalities and underscores our commitment to forging value-driven partnerships that expand our pipeline in areas of high unmet patient need.”
EpimAb CEO and founder Chengbin Wu said: “EpimAb is looking forward to discover new TCR-TCEs with Medigene’s unique TCRs. Together we can open up new possibilities for our T-FIT and CD3 binding platforms to develop novel targeted therapies for cancer patients.”
TCR-TCEs represent an advanced ‘off-the-shelf’ immunotherapy that leverages the specificity of TCRs to guide T cells towards cancer cells to treat immune-related disorders.
Unlike traditional antibodies, TCRs can identify both intracellular and extracellular targets with peptide-HLA complexes on cancer cells, to develop a wide range of targetable antigens.
Bispecific therapies represent a significant opportunity in the fight against cancer, addressing an unmet need in both solid and hematologic tumours.
TCR-TCEs leverage the body’s immune system to target and eradicate cancer cells with elevated precision, providing a promising solution for solid and hematologic cancers.
