IASO Bio Presented Equecabtagene Autoleucel Data for CNS Autoimmunity at EAN Congress 2024

IASO Biotechnology, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of innovative cell therapies and antibody products, showcased clinical data and single-cell analysis of their fully human anti-BCMA CAR T cell therapy (Equecabtagene Autoleucel, referred to as Eque-cel) for treating central nervous system autoimmunity. This presentation took place at the 2024 European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Annual Meeting in Helsinki, Finland, on July 1, 2024. The clinical data was presented by Professor Chuan Qin from Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

The research, led by Professor Wei Wang's team at Tongji Hospital, was an investigator-initiated study aimed at assessing the safety and efficacy of Eque-cel for patients with relapsed or refractory antibody-mediated idiopathic inflammatory disorders of the nervous system. This study involved 12 participants with aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody-positive relapsed/refractory neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), all of whom had previously been treated with immunosuppressants for over a year without satisfactory control of their symptoms.

The preliminary results of the study indicated that Eque-cel is well-tolerated and safe, demonstrating durable clearance of pathogenic antibodies and potential clinical efficacy in treating NMOSD. The study revealed that CAR-T cells with chemotactic properties can cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the central nervous system, where they directly target and eliminate abnormal plasma cells. This action helps restore central immunity by reducing the secretion of autoantibodies and abnormal activation of immune cells, effectively resetting the immune system in NMOSD patients.

The research conducted by Tongji Hospital and IASO Bio represents a pioneering effort in applying BCMA CAR-T therapy to treat immune diseases. The breakthrough findings underscore the clinical value of innovative cell therapy for relapsed and refractory immune diseases, garnering increasing international recognition and validation. The International Neuromyelitis Optica Study Group (NEMOS) has acknowledged BCMA CAR-T therapy as one of the most promising treatment strategies and incorporated it into the latest treatment recommendations.

Further affirmations come from Professor Maximilian F. Konig of Johns Hopkins University, who highlighted in a review published in "Nature Reviews Rheumatology" that CAR-T therapy has introduced groundbreaking advancements in precision cellular therapies for immune diseases.

Professor Wei Wang emphasized that this study marks the world's first clinical trial of CAR-T therapy for AQP4-mediated relapsed/refractory NMOSD. The findings not only demonstrate the efficacy and controllable safety of Eque-cel in NMOSD but also provide insights into the cellular dynamics and immunological characteristics of CAR-T therapy for central nervous system autoimmune diseases. The promising results pave the way for a new therapeutic approach for antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases and contribute to the refinement of CAR-T cell therapies.

Beyond NMOSD, Eque-cel has shown excellent clinical efficacy in treating other antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases, such as myasthenia gravis and immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, with early signs of reversing these diseases. Multiple related research papers have been published in leading international academic journals, highlighting the significant unmet clinical demand for effective treatments for autoimmune diseases, which are prone to relapses and require long-term medication.

IASO Bio continues to explore the application of Eque-cel in more refractory autoimmune diseases, aiming to transform the treatment landscape. The company possesses comprehensive capabilities in drug development, from early discovery to clinical development, regulatory approval, and commercial production. IASO Bio's diversified portfolio includes over 10 novel products, with Equecabtagene Autoleucel receiving approval from China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and U.S. FDA IND approval for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

With its strong management team, innovative product pipeline, and integrated manufacturing and clinical capabilities, IASO Bio strives to deliver transformative, curable, and affordable therapies to meet unmet medical needs for patients in China and worldwide.