Highlights

1. Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals is nearing the launch of a phase I trial for HEMO-CAR-T, a treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), at the MD Anderson Center in Texas.

2. The company is also advancing its CBR platform and CDX program, targeting viral infections and supporting bone marrow transplant preparations, respectively.

3. Hemogenyx reported a loss of £2.8 million for the first half of the year, with a cash balance of £1.6 million at the end of June.

Article

Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals PLC {OTC:HOPHF} has announced it is in the final stages of opening a clinical site for its phase I trial of HEMO-CAR-T, a cutting-edge therapy aimed at treating acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The trial will commence at the esteemed MD Anderson Center in Texas, which will be responsible for treating the first patient. Additionally, the University of Pennsylvania has expressed eagerness to participate, though involvement is not anticipated before the year’s end.

HEMO-CAR-T represents a next-generation CAR-T therapy that reprograms the body’s T-cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells. This innovative approach is notable for its potential curative capabilities, marking a significant advancement in the treatment landscape for AML.

In the broader context, the increasing interest from major pharmaceutical companies in next-generation CAR-T therapies has led to substantial investments, with firms like AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, and Novartis surpassing the billion-dollar mark in milestone and royalty payments.

Alongside HEMO-CAR-T, Hemogenyx is advancing two other promising drug candidates. The Chimeric Bait Receptor (CBR) platform is an advanced immunotherapy that reprograms immune cells to target viral infections and specific cancers. Initially aimed at treating viruses like COVID-19, the CBR platform has demonstrated potential against various cancers, including rare types like epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Ongoing research is focused on improving the stability of mRNA-based CBRs to enhance treatment efficacy.

Additionally, the company is progressing its CDX program, designed to assist AML patients in preparing for bone marrow transplants. This treatment not only targets AML cells but also conditions patients for transplantation. An improved version of CDX utilizing bispecific pairing technology has shown increased effectiveness in laboratory tests and is currently undergoing animal studies in preparation for clinical trials.

Financially, Hemogenyx reported a loss of £2.8 million for the six months ending June 30, primarily due to investments in research and development. At the close of this period, the company maintained a cash balance of £1.6 million, positioning it to continue its innovative research efforts.