AffyImmune is developing AIC100, a CAR T cell therapy that utilizes affinity tuning to selectively target and eliminate tumor cells overexpressing ICAM-1, while sparing healthy cells. This approach addresses the urgent need for effective treatments in patients with refractory thyroid cancer and other malignancies where ICAM-1 is prevalent.
Funding
$37.9M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Anaplastic and advanced differentiated thyroid cancers have poor prognoses, creating a need for more effective treatments. Solid tumors often lack specific targets, making it difficult to selectively eliminate cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. Existing CAR T-cell therapies can struggle to penetrate solid tumors and may cause off-target toxicities.
Solution
AffyImmune is developing AIC100, a CAR T-cell therapy engineered with affinity tuning to selectively target and eliminate tumor cells overexpressing ICAM-1 (Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1). By fine-tuning the affinity of the CAR T cells, AIC100 aims to minimize off-target effects and maximize tumor cell killing. ICAM-1 is a master regulator of essential cellular functions and is overexpressed in several cancers, making it a key target for therapeutic intervention. AffyImmune's approach also incorporates non-invasive monitoring of CAR T cells during treatment, providing valuable insights into their activity and persistence. This next-generation cellular therapy seeks to enhance the patient's immune system to detect and eliminate tumor cells effectively.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients with advanced solid tumors, particularly anaplastic and advanced differentiated thyroid cancers, who have limited treatment options.
Features
- Affinity-tuned CAR T cells designed to selectively target ICAM-1 overexpressing tumor cells
- Minimized off-target toxicity through precise affinity modulation
- Non-invasive monitoring of CAR T cells during treatment
- Focus on solid tumors where ICAM-1 overexpression plays a key role
- Potential application in anaplastic and advanced differentiated thyroid cancers