IASO Bio to Present Innovative Findings on Equecabtagene Autoleucel at Major Conferences
IASO Biotherapeutics, commonly known as IASO Bio, is poised to make a significant impact in the field of neurology by presenting promising findings on its innovative CAR-T cell therapy, Equecabtagene Autoleucel (Eque-cel). The company is set to unveil its results at two prestigious academic gatherings: the American Neurological Association (ANA) Annual Meeting and the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) Congress in 2025.
The Presentations
The findings will be shared through a poster presentation at the ANA meeting scheduled for September 15, 2025, in Baltimore, USA, as well as an oral presentation at the ECTRIMS Congress on September 26, 2025, in Barcelona, Spain. These conferences attract leading neurologists and researchers from around the world, making them ideal platforms for showcasing breakthrough research.
The presentations will be based on data from an investigator-initiated trial conducted by Professor Wei Wang's team at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College in China. This clinical study assessed the efficacy and safety of Equecabtagene Autoleucel in treating patients with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PMS).
Study Insights
The trial involved five patients, including one with Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) and four with Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS). Impressively, the results indicated a notable improvement in the patients’ conditions:
- - The mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score improved, decreasing from 6.2 at baseline to 5.0 by the final visit.
- - The mean times for the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) also decreased, indicating enhanced dexterity: from 51.3 and 40.9 seconds to 35.9 and 27.8 seconds for the left and right hands, respectively.
- - Additionally, the mean Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25-FW) times improved significantly, going from 27.3 seconds to 15.7 seconds.
- - MRI scans showed no new or enlarged lesions, underscoring the therapy's promising efficacy.
Safety Profile
The safety profile of Eque-cel was also encouraging. Of the five participants, four experienced transient grade 1 Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), with no instances of Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS) or serious neurologic side effects. Only mild instances of grade 3 neutropenia and a decrease in lymphocyte counts were noted, without significant occurrences of anemia or thrombocytopenia.
Thus, these findings position anti-BCMA CAR T cells as not only well-tolerated but also highly effective in managing progressive Multiple Sclerosis.
About Equecabtagene Autoleucel
Equecabtagene Autoleucel harnesses a fully human anti-BCMA CAR-T cell technology, utilizing lentivirus for T cell transfection. This innovative therapy boasts a rigorous molecular structure, providing rapid efficacy and enduring patient responses.
Founded in 2017, IASO Bio has rapidly established itself as a frontrunner in the biopharmaceutical sector, particularly in cell therapy and biologics. While initially concentrating on blood cancers, the company's strategic diversification into treating autoimmune disorders marks a significant expansion of its scope.
The company reports having a promising pipeline of over 10 innovative products, highlighted by Equecabtagene Autoleucel, which received regulatory approval from the Chinese National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in June 2023 for treating relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Its progress in this space showcases IASO Bio's commitment to addressing unmet medical needs effectively.
As IASO Bio prepares for its prominent presentations in 2025, the medical community eagerly anticipates further insights into the remarkable potential of Equecabtagene Autoleucel in transforming the treatment landscape for Multiple Sclerosis.