AIMS CAR-NKT platform is based on the invariant natural killer T cells (iNKTs), which are a special subset of T cells with both T cell receptor TCR and NK cell receptor on their cell surfaces. They possess both T cell and NK cell anti-tumor characteristics and are increasingly favored in the development of next-generation cell therapies. Unlike the TCR on T cells, the TCR on NKT cells is a congenital T cell population that expresses unchanged V α 24-J α 18 TCR α chains. It does not recognize peptide antigens presented by traditional MHC molecules, but rather recognizes glycolipid antigens presented by non-polymorphic MHC-I like molecule CD1d. Therefore, the products developed by this technology platform also have the potential for allogeneic usage and good safety.
AIMS CAR-NKT has multiple mechanisms for the anti-tumor activity:
1) CAR targeting tumor antigens directly；
2) The invariant TCR targeting tumor cells which express CD1d and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs);
3) NK receptors (such as NKG2D) can bind to NK ligands on tumors;
4) CD16 is applied for potential antibody dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) in combination with potential antibody therapy. AIMS CAR-NKT also has the strong ability to infiltrate solid tumors and prolong the sustained expansion of CAR-NKT cells by regulating the tumor microenvironment.
The first pipeline product (CGC729) based on AIMS CAR-NKT platform has been demonstrated to have good safety and encouraging efficacy in the clinical studies targeting renal clear cell carcinoma.
VELPTM uses natural AAV library to increase the transduction activity and decrease the cross packaging, recovers nuclear circular episomal DNAs to maximize the data which correlated with protein expression. Based on VELPTM platform, we have collaborations with Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH and Frametact Ltd. to develop novel AAV capsid. We also working on the translation in gene therapies targeting brain, heart and kidney related genetic diseases.
