AvenCell Secures AMED Grant Up to $40M for CAR-T Program

AvenCell Japan, a subsidiary of AvenCell Therapeutics, has been awarded significant funding by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) to advance its innovative CAR-T therapies. With a grant of up to $40 million, AvenCell is poised to further develop its AVC203 candidate, a dual-antigen allogeneic CAR-T therapy targeting CD19 and CD20 for treating B-cell lymphomas. This funding is crucial for the company as it enables the global progression of its promising therapeutic approach.

AvenCell Therapeutics, a private clinical-stage biotechnology firm, is dedicated to creating top-tier CAR-T therapies aimed at addressing hematologic cancers and autoimmune disorders. Their approach stands out due to their unique and proprietary allogeneic technology, which differentiates itself from previous cell engineering methods by implementing multiple gene editing steps. These steps are crucial as they prevent the patient's immune system, encompassing both innate and adaptive components, from rejecting donor cells. Moreover, AvenCell ensures that the vitality and effectiveness of healthy donor T-cells are preserved throughout the cell manufacturing process. Achieving these two key requirements has long represented a significant challenge in the field, one that other first-generation allogeneic approaches have yet to overcome.

Early clinical data derived from AvenCell's AVC201 clinical program, which focuses on dose escalation for patients with relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), demonstrates promising results. The data indicate that AvenCell's allogeneic cells expand robustly and consistently, surpassing levels observed in similar autologous experiences. Importantly, these cells maintain their activity well beyond the typical one-month rejection period, a hurdle where many other allogeneic candidates have previously faltered.

Andrew Schiermeier, Ph.D., who serves as the President and CEO of AvenCell Therapeutics, expressed his enthusiasm regarding the AMED grant. He emphasized the significance of participating in the program designed to bolster the Japan Pharmaceutical Startup Ecosystem. Schiermeier highlighted the pressing medical need for effective treatments for lymphomas and leukemias worldwide, including in Japan. He also underscored the importance of collaborating with key opinion leaders and a diverse group of stakeholders in the region to provide patients with a therapeutic that can significantly shift treatment paradigms and deliver meaningful benefits.

This funding from AMED marks a vital step for AvenCell Japan and AvenCell Therapeutics as they continue to develop and refine their groundbreaking CAR-T therapies. The AVC203 candidate, with its dual-antigen targets, has the potential to offer new hope for patients battling B-cell lymphomas. The collaboration with AMED and the investment in advancing this therapeutic approach underscore the commitment to addressing unmet medical needs and transforming the landscape of cancer treatment.

AvenCell's dedication to leveraging their proprietary technology to overcome longstanding obstacles in cell therapy is a promising development in the field. By ensuring that donor cells can evade immune rejection and maintain potency, AvenCell is setting a new standard for allogeneic CAR-T therapies, offering a glimpse into a future where these innovative treatments can provide effective solutions for patients facing hematologic cancers and autoimmune diseases.