Biosyngen Unveils Advanced TIL Technology at ESMO 2024

The prestigious 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Annual Congress, held from September 13 to 17 in Barcelona, Spain, has once again drawn significant attention from the oncology community. Widely recognized as a leading event in the field of cancer research, the congress serves as a crucial platform for the presentation of groundbreaking advancements and the exchange of knowledge among top cancer specialists and researchers globally.

A notable highlight of this year's event was the presentation by Biosyngen, a pioneering biotechnology company focused on immune cell therapies. The company introduced its innovative technology involving gene-modified, functionally enhanced tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) derived from liver cancer biopsy samples. This development represents a significant stride in the field of oncology, particularly in the treatment of solid tumors.

Biosyngen has made considerable progress, having secured ten clinical trial approvals in both China and the United States for its fourth-generation oncology therapies. At the forefront of its pipeline is BRG01, which is currently in the pivotal Phase II clinical trial stage targeting solid tumors. Concurrently, the company has initiated Phase I trials for two other promising therapies, BST02 and BRL03, with expectations of completing these initial trials by the end of the year.

The focus of Biosyngen’s presentation was their abstract titled "Pre-clinical Development of Genetically Modified Tumor-infiltrating Lymphocytes using Biopsy Samples from Liver Cancer Patients" (Abstract No. 1034P). Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, or TILs, are a diverse group of lymphocytes found within the tumor microenvironment and include T cells that can recognize antigens associated with tumors or viruses. Recently, the FDA approved the first TIL-based therapy used in conjunction with IL-2 for treating advanced metastatic/recurrent melanoma. However, the application of non-edited TILs beyond melanoma has faced limitations due to factors such as variability in T cell infiltration and the necessity for high-dose IL-2 combination therapy.

To overcome these challenges, Biosyngen has developed a proprietary platform for the expansion of TILs from biopsy samples. This platform enables the production of 1011 cells within a four-week period. Moreover, the company has built a stable gene modification system that enhances TIL metabolism and activity, thereby improving sustained antitumor efficacy without the need for IL-2 co-injection and without notable toxicity.

Biosyngen’s advanced TIL platform boasts several notable features:
- An efficient automated TIL manufacturing system that utilizes tumor biopsy samples. This system can cryopreserve both tumor tissue and the final TIL products, addressing logistical challenges.
- An effective in vitro gene-engineering system that uses viral vector technology for stable gene modification, ensuring high gene expression efficiency in TILs.
- Enhanced in vivo expansion and persistence, achieved by increasing the proportion of central memory T cells (TCM) in the final product, which contributes to prolonged persistence.
- Demonstrated powerful antitumor efficacy without the need for IL-2 co-injection, showcasing strong tumor-killing effects.

Overall, Biosyngen's presentation at the ESMO Congress underscored their commitment to expanding the clinical applications of TIL technology and delivering innovative solutions to improve outcomes for cancer patients worldwide.