MiNK Therapeutics Receives NIAID Grant to Advance Allo-iNKT Therapy for GvHD Prevention

MiNK Therapeutics, Inc., a leader in developing advanced biopharmaceutical solutions, has announced a significant new collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This partnership centers on a grant awarded to support MiNK’s innovative allo-iNKT cell therapy platform, specifically targeting the prevention and treatment of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This effort is undertaken in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin.

Jennifer Buell, PhD, President and CEO of MiNK Therapeutics, emphasized the importance of this grant, highlighting the role of iNKT cells in immune regulation. The technology spearheaded by Dr. Gumperz’s team at the University of Wisconsin has provided crucial insights into the potential of allo-iNKT cells to not only prevent GvHD but also enhance engraftment success. Through collaborative preclinical and clinical efforts, the goal is to address the needs of nearly half of allogeneic stem cell transplant patients who are susceptible to GvHD, a serious complication. This funding validates the potential of the iNKT platform and accelerates its progress in addressing significant unmet medical needs.

GvHD is a severe complication post-allogeneic HSCT, resulting in multi-organ damage and high mortality rates. iNKT cells, due to their inherent ability to regulate immune responses, promote tissue repair, and suppress inflammation, are ideally suited for mitigating this condition.

Professor Jenny E. Gumperz from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health shared her insights, stating that the partnership with MiNK combines their expertise in iNKT manufacturing with the university's deep knowledge of transplant immunology. iNKT cells have the potential to modulate the harmful allo-immune response responsible for GvHD while maintaining the patient's capacity to combat infections—a balance that current therapies struggle to achieve. The support from NIAID is pivotal in advancing this science towards clinical applications, offering transplant patients a safer path to recovery and long-term survival.

MiNK Therapeutics is at the forefront of developing allogeneic invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapies and precision-targeted immune technologies. Their proprietary platform aims to restore immune balance and elicit cytotoxic immune responses across various conditions, including cancer, immune-mediated diseases, and pulmonary immune failures. Their leading product, AGENT-797, is under clinical investigation for its potential in treating GvHD, solid tumors, and severe pulmonary immune collapse. Furthermore, MiNK is exploring a pipeline of T cell receptor-based therapies and neoantigen discovery tools with the potential for tumor- and tissue-specific immune activation.

MiNK’s approach is grounded in a scalable, cryopreserved manufacturing process, offering a differentiated mechanism that bridges both innate and adaptive immunity. Their commitment lies in developing next-generation immune reconstitution therapies that are accessible, durable, and applicable across diverse medical indications.

The collaboration and funding from NIAID mark a significant milestone in the advancement of MiNK Therapeutics’ platform, promising improvements in the management of GvHD and enhancing the prospects for patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplants.