Chimeric (ASX:CHM) doses 1^st patient in Core NK and Vactosertib trial - Kalkine Media

Highlights

• Chimeric Therapeutics has dosed the first patient in Phase 1B CHM 0201 + Vactosertib clinical trial.
• It is the first FDA-approved clinical trial assessing CHM 0201 NK cells with Vactosertib.
• The Phase 1B clinical trial is being conducted with the objective to build upon the clinical responses recorded in the first CORE NK Phase 1A study.
• The trial is being conducted in patients having advanced colorectal and blood cancers.

In a  recent announcement, Chimeric Therapeutics (ASX:CHM) revealed that it has dosed the first patient in the CHM 0201 (CORE NK) + Vactosertib clinical trial. It is the first-ever trial that is assessing NK cells in combination with Vactosertib in patients having advanced colorectal and blood cancers.

ASX-listed Chimeric Therapeutics is a clinical-stage cell therapy company focused on research and development as well as commercialisation of new cell therapies. The company believes that cellular therapies have the potential to eliminate cancer, and not just delay its progression.

Overview of CHM 0201 (CORE NK) + Vactosertib clinical trial

The Phase 1B clinical trial is being conducted with the objective to build upon the clinical responses recorded in the first CORE NK Phase 1A study. However, this study also involves Vactosertib, an oral TGF-β receptor inhibitor which has the potential to disrupt the TGF-β signalling pathway.

The new trial has been designed for treating 12 patients having locally advanced/metastatic colorectal cancer or relapsed/refractory blood cancers. It is being led by UH Seidman oncologist J. Eva Selfridge, MD, PhD, and Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Ohio. 

What is CORE NK platform?

The CORE NK (CHM 0201) platform is a potential NK cell platform of ex-vivo expanded non-HLA-matched universal donor NK cells. It uses a novel, proprietary genetically modified feeder cell line to activate and expand universal off-the-shelf allogeneic NK cell products derived from healthy donors. Moreover, the expanded CORE-NK cells indicate improved cytotoxicity, metabolism, and expression of activating receptors compared to fresh, activated NK cells. 

It was previously studied in a phase 1 clinical trial that showed safety with no GvHD (Graft versus Host Disease), 28-day NK cell persistence. 

Also, it had reflected a positive early efficacy signal, specifically in blood cancers where the enrolled subjects observed disease control, while one patient showed absolute response that sustained for more than 15 months at time of study publication.

Data source: Company update; Image source: © 2023 Krish Capital Pty. Ltd.

In November, Chimeric executed an exclusive licence agreement for the CORE-NK platform. 

CHM shares were trading at AU$0.080 midday on 30 January 2023.