Obsidian Therapeutics to Present Preclinical Data on OBX-115 and cytoDRiVE® at SITC 2024

Obsidian Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has published three abstracts for poster presentations at the upcoming SITC Annual Meeting 2024. These abstracts showcase the company's advancements in engineered cell and gene therapies, particularly focusing on their proprietary cytoDRiVE platform and OBX-115 manufacturing for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

One of the key highlights is the presentation of preclinical data that supports a more patient-friendly tumor tissue procurement method using core needle biopsy for the manufacturing of OBX-115 in NSCLC patients. This approach, enabled by Obsidian’s advanced manufacturing process, includes IL15-driven tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) expansion. The data, presented under abstract 444, indicates that core needle biopsy, which is less invasive and typically an outpatient procedure, can successfully generate OBX-115 products that are comparable in quality to those produced via surgical excision. The products maintain similar TCR clonotype repertoire and exhibit predominantly effector-memory, stem-like phenotype with low PD-1 expression. This minimally invasive method has the potential to reduce the overall cost of care and increase patient access compared to traditional surgical methods.

Additionally, Obsidian will present two other posters that demonstrate the capabilities of the cytoDRiVE regulation platform. Abstract 463 discusses how the cytoDRiVE platform can enhance the therapeutic window of potent cytokines and improve armored cell therapies. By incorporating a pharmacologically regulatable signal to achieve spatiotemporal control over IL12 expression, Obsidian aims to enhance safety and tumor control in animal models. This method offers a promising advancement in the regulation of immune responses in cancer treatment.

The second poster, abstract 457, highlights the use of cytoDRiVE to manage two potent cytokines, membrane-bound IL15 (mbIL15) and LIGHT (TNFSF14), under a single drug-responsive domain. This engineered cell therapy has demonstrated significant antitumor activity and evidence of tumor microenvironment remodeling in fibroblast-rich models, which supports the potential of cytoDRiVE to address solid tumors characterized by an immunosuppressive environment.

Obsidian will also be participating in the Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) Symposium at the SITC 2024, with Dr. Parameswaran Hari scheduled to discuss the potential of OBX-115 as an engineered TIL cell therapy for advanced solid tumors.

The posters presented by Obsidian at the SITC 2024 include:
- Abstract 444: Potential feasibility of core needle biopsy tumor tissue procurement for TIL cell therapy with OBX-115 in NSCLC. Presenting authors include Matthew Bott from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Zheng Ao from Obsidian Therapeutics.
- Abstract 463: Use of antigen-responsive promoters with cytoDRiVE technology for tight spatiotemporal regulation of TIL expressing membrane-bound IL12. Presented by Sean Smith from Obsidian Therapeutics.
- Abstract 457: Efficacy of engineered TIL with co-regulated mbIL15 and LIGHT in fibrotic tumor models, presented by Benjamin Primack from Obsidian Therapeutics.

OBX-115, Obsidian's lead cytoTIL15 program, is a novel autologous T cell immunotherapy armored with mbIL15. It has shown potential as a therapeutic option for patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma and other solid tumors by enhancing persistence, antitumor activity, and safety. OBX-115 is currently being investigated in the phase 1/2 Agni-01 multicenter trial for patients with advanced solid tumors.

Obsidian Therapeutics continues to pioneer advancements in cell and gene therapies, aiming to provide transformative treatments for patients with difficult-to-treat diseases through their innovative cytoDRiVE technology.