APAC advances in adoptive cell therapy

The Asia Pacific (APAC) region is currently at the forefront of adoptive cell therapy clinical research, according to Scotty Chung-Siu, a managing analyst at GlobalData. At the Annual Outsourcing in Clinical Trials conference held from June 11-12, Chung-Siu delivered an in-depth session on this topic, providing insights for clinical trial professionals.

A significant finding highlighted by Chung-Siu is that the APAC region hosts about twelve times more single-country adoptive cell therapy studies than Europe. Specifically, there are 1,023 such studies ongoing in APAC, compared to 476 in North America. This data underscores APAC's leading position in the field of adoptive cell therapies, which are a type of immunotherapy that employs engineered cells to activate a patient’s immune system for treating various conditions.

Adoptive cell therapies encompass three primary types: tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) immunotherapy, natural killer (NK) cell immunotherapy, and T cell immunotherapies. The T cell category includes diverse modalities like chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapies, natural killer T cells, regulatory T cells, and T cell receptor (TCR) therapies.

Notable adoptive cell therapies have already made strides in the market. For instance, Novartis’ CAR-T therapy, Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel), and Gilead Sciences’ Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), developed in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo, are commercially available in select Asian countries. In a strategic move to support this burgeoning field, Novartis established cell therapy manufacturing sites in Japan in 2020.

Adding to the promising growth, a February 2024 paper in the Blood Cell Therapy journal highlighted that Asia has been responsible for 70% of global economic advancement over the past two years. The report projects a 40% compound annual growth rate for the adoption of CAR-T therapies in Asia, further indicating the region's robust engagement in this innovative field.

Chung-Siu also identified key industry sponsors based in China that are leading numerous adoptive cell therapy trials. Hebei Senlang Biotechnology, headquartered in Bongguan, Hebei, and Chongqin Precision Biotech, based in Chongqing, were noted for their significant contributions, with 34 and 32 trials, respectively.

The London conference included sessions covering a broad spectrum of clinical research topics, from the clinical trial landscape in the UK to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical trials. The event facilitated extensive discussions and exchange of insights among professionals in the field.

In summary, the APAC region’s dominant role in the clinical development of adoptive cell therapies is evident through the sheer number of ongoing studies and the substantial contributions from local industry leaders. This trend is expected to continue, driven by robust economic growth and technological advancements, positioning the region as a critical player in the global landscape of adoptive cell therapies.