CytoMed Therapeutics' First-in-Human Phase I ANGELICA CAR-T Cell Trial for Tumors Co-Funded by NMRC Clinical Trial Grant

CytoMed Therapeutics Limited (NASDAQ: GDTC), a Singapore-based biopharmaceutical firm, has received full approval to initiate its first-in-human Phase I clinical trial, ANGELICA Trial, using its allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T cell) therapy. This trial aims to treat various blood and solid tumors in collaboration with the National University Hospital (NUH) of Singapore. The trial is co-supported by the Singapore Ministry of Health through the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Office and MOH Holdings Pte Ltd under the NMRC Clinical Trial Grant Industry Collaborative Trials scheme. Grant specifics remain confidential.

CAR-T cell therapy involves modifying a patient’s T cells in a laboratory to express a chimeric antigen receptor that targets cancer cells. These modified T cells are then reintroduced into the patient to destroy cancer cells. Unlike chemotherapy, which attacks all dividing cells, CAR-T cells specifically target cancer cells, thus reducing damage to healthy cells.

The ANGELICA Trial leverages blood drawn from young, healthy donors, potentially improving CAR-T cell quality, reducing production costs, and enhancing access to therapy as these cells can be produced in large quantities and stored for future use. Traditional CAR-T cell therapies use alpha-beta T cells, which carry a high risk of graft-versus-host disease due to their incompatibility between individuals. In contrast, the ANGELICA Trial employs gamma delta T cells, a rare subtype that can be modified from healthy donors and safely re-infused into unrelated patients without the need for matching.

Dr. Anand Jeyasekharan, the lead investigator and Senior Consultant at the Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), emphasized the innovative nature of the ANGELICA Trial. He highlighted the meticulous development of the trial protocol by experts in early-phase trials, CAR-T cells, and allogeneic transplantation. Supported by the NMRC CTG-ICT, the team is eager to start enrolling patients with relapsed cancers for whom this trial may offer a new treatment option.

Dr. Tan Wee Kiat, Co-CEO and COO of CytoMed Therapeutics, expressed excitement about collaborating with NUH and contributing to the development of donor blood immunotherapy for advanced solid and haematological tumors in Singapore and globally. Chairman Peter Choo noted that the trial would significantly propel CytoMed's efforts to develop affordable, allogeneic off-the-shelf immune cell therapies for life-threatening diseases, particularly cancers.

The ANGELICA Trial is divided into two parts. Part 1, involving the recruitment of healthy blood donors at NUH, is already underway. With continued collaboration between CytoMed and NUH, Part 2 will proceed with the recruitment of patients who have advanced cancers that are resistant to standard treatments.

In a related development, CytoMed has acquired the assets and license of a licensed cord blood bank in Malaysia using internal cash resources. This acquisition aligns with CytoMed’s strategy to advance cell therapies by gaining access to valuable cord blood for research and development. Clinical evidence supports the potential of cord blood-derived biologics for a variety of aging diseases and regenerative medicine. This new biotech initiative will be managed through CytoMed’s subsidiary, LongevityBank Pte Ltd, which oversees IPSC Depository Sdn Bhd, the holder of the cord blood banking license issued by Malaysia's Ministry of Health.

CytoMed will discuss its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2024, in an earnings conference call on October 8, 2024, at 9 a.m. ET. The investment community is encouraged to join the call, particularly those with queries regarding the announcement. Furthermore, the management team will be available for meetings in New York City from October 28, 2024, to November 1, 2024.

Established in 2018, CytoMed was spun off from Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). The company focuses on developing novel cell-based allogeneic immunotherapies for various cancers using proprietary technologies, inspired by the clinical success and limitations of existing CAR-T therapies.