Cartherics develops allogeneic immunotherapy treatments utilizing gene editing and CAR technology to provide precise, off-the-shelf solutions for patients with solid tumors. The company addresses the need for more accessible and effective cancer therapies by enhancing the body’s immune response against various cancers.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Despite advancements in cancer treatments like surgery and chemotherapy, survival rates for solid tumors, particularly ovarian cancer, remain low due to late diagnosis and limited options for patients who do not respond to existing therapies. There is a need for more accessible and effective treatments that can enhance the body's immune response against a broader range of cancers.
Solution
Cartherics is developing allogeneic, off-the-shelf cell therapies, utilizing gene editing and CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) technology, to provide more precise and readily available treatment options for patients with solid tumors. Their platform leverages induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from donated cord blood, which are then differentiated into natural killer (NK) cells and T cells. These cells are genetically engineered at specific genomic sites to enhance their function and target tumor-associated antigens, such as TAG-72, which is expressed in ovarian, gastric, colorectal, prostate, and pancreatic cancers. The company's lead product, CTH-401, is a CAR-NK cell therapy designed to effectively kill ovarian cancer cells and is currently progressing towards clinical trials.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes patients with solid tumors, particularly ovarian cancer, who have limited treatment options or are refractory to existing therapies, as well as oncologists and medical professionals seeking innovative and accessible cancer immunotherapies.
Features
- Allogeneic "off-the-shelf" cell therapy platform for solid tumors
- Utilizes iPSCs derived from donated cord blood, differentiated into NK and T cells
- Gene editing at "safe harbor" genomic sites for enhanced immune cell function
- CAR technology to target tumor-specific antigens like TAG-72
- Lead product CTH-401, a CAR-NK cell therapy targeting TAG-72 expressing tumors
- CTH-401 incorporates deletion of genes associated with immunosuppression
- Demonstrated efficacy in killing ovarian cancer cells in preclinical models