Immunofoco Unveils Innovative CAR-T Technology at ASGCT 2025

In a remarkable presentation at the 28th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT), held in Shanghai on May 15, 2025, Immunofoco showcased its cutting-edge In Vivo CAR-T Technology Platform. This advanced platform integrates novel lentiviral vector technologies that aim to revolutionize cancer treatment, specifically targeting solid tumors. The introduction of MxV-G, an innovative lentiviral packaging fusogen, underscores the company's commitment to overcoming existing patent limitations in the field.

Innovations in Lentiviral Vector Technology

Immunofoco's team has developed MxV-G, which serves as a pseudotype in lentiviral vector production. This breakthrough not only increases the viral titers but also enhances transduction efficiency, enabling the CAR-T cells generated to more effectively target and eliminate tumor cells. Unlike the conventional VSV-G pseudotyped lentiviral vector, MxV-G has demonstrated superior performance in creating CAR-T cells in vivo, which is indicative of its promising clinical application potential. The versatility of the MxV-G enhanced vectors could provide robust solutions for both traditional ex vivo and innovative in vivo CAR-T therapies.

To increase specificity, researchers developed a detargeted mutant of MxV-G that removes native receptor binding without compromising its membrane-fusion activity. This is a significant leap forward, allowing for selective T-cell transduction, which produces CAR-T cells with efficiency levels comparable to traditional methods. Immunofoco's efforts signify a shift towards safer and more effective immunotherapies in cancer treatment.

AI-Driven Precision Engineering

In their quest for enhanced specificity, Immunofoco utilized artificial intelligence to optimize the design of tropism-modified mutant variants of MxV-G. By eliminating the natural tropism to non-T cells, this engineered mutant allows for targeted delivery of CAR-T therapies directly to T cells. This shift leads to improved safety profiles and efficacy, thus broadening the therapeutic window. The introduction of specialized targeting modules (TCM) into the system has further elevated the precision in targeting T cells, with TCM3 proving to be particularly effective in accomplishing this goal.

T-Cell Targeting Modules: A Game Changer in Cancer Therapies

The introduction of multiple engineered T-cell-targeting modules has showcased impressive selectivity and efficacy. Specifically, TCM3 has emerged as a standout performer, exhibiting higher T-cell transduction rates and greater specificity than previously employed methods such as αCD3/CD80/CD58. In comparative studies, CAR-T cells generated using the MxV-G-TCM3 combination showcased remarkable anti-tumor activities in murine models, outperforming traditional methods in tumor control and demonstrating reduced markers of T-cell exhaustion.

Vision for the Future of CAR-T Therapy

Dr. Hao Ruidong, Partner and Head of the R&D Center at Immunofoco, articulated the organization's future goals during the presentation. He highlighted the widespread accessibility challenges of CAR-T therapies due to their complex manufacturing and high costs. The company aims to leverage its novel in vivo CAR-T platform to simplify manufacturing processes and reduce costs while maintaining high efficacy.

Immunofoco's groundbreaking innovations in CAR-T technology could signal a new era in the treatment of solid tumors, providing hope for many patients. As the industry progresses, the expectation is that simpler, more effective, and accessible CAR-T therapies could soon be a reality for patients worldwide, ultimately enhancing their quality of life in the face of cancer.

This breakthrough represents a promising development in immunotherapy, further bridging the gap between advanced scientific research and clinical application in the battle against cancer.