Integra Therapeutics Unveils Groundbreaking Pre-Clinical Data at ASGCT Conference 2025
Integra Therapeutics, a pioneer in the development of advanced gene-editing technologies, recently announced the presentation of new pre-clinical data during the 28th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT), held from May 13 to 17, 2025, in New Orleans. This breakthrough event showcased the company's commitment to advancing cell engineering through innovative gene-writing platforms.
Significant Advances in Gene Engineering
During the conference, Dr. Avencia Sánchez-Mejías, CEO and Co-Founder of Integra Therapeutics, highlighted the relevance of their findings, stating, "The presentation at ASGCT marks an important milestone in our work to enhance safe and efficient cell engineering using our gene-writing platform, which features remarkable editing efficiencies and multi-gene integration capabilities. These advancements are essential for the next generation of cell therapies targeting oncological and autoimmune diseases."
One of the most exciting developments discussed was the application of Integra’s technology to generate CAR-T cells. This achievement allows for the expression of more intricate CARs—such as bispecific variants with built-in kill switches—utilizing a single DNA donor. The simplification of the production process could lead to more streamlined manufacturing and improved patient outcomes.
Performance Comparison with Established Leaders
The functionality of the newly engineered CAR-T cells was also presented, demonstrating superior efficacy compared to existing methodologies used by industry leaders. In particular, these cells showed a heightened ability to eliminate B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) tumor cells and address B cells associated with autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. This could potentially pave the way for more effective treatments for patients suffering from these serious conditions.
Innovative Approaches using FiCAT and CRISPR-Cas12l
Furthermore, Integra Therapeutics unveiled results from their collaboration with Caszyme, focusing on CAR-T cells generated through novel CRISPR-Cas12l nucleases in conjunction with the FiCAT gene-writing platform. This combination showed marked efficiency improvements over traditional CRISPR-Cas9 techniques, signifying a substantial advancement in the realm of gene editing.
Upcoming Presentations and Abstracts
The upcoming presentations at ASGCT will delve deeper into these innovations:
1.
Title: Precise Gene Writing System for CAR-T Cell Therapy Generation
Date & Time: May 14, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM (local time)
Session: Gene Targeting and Gene Correction New Technologies
Location: Poster Session Hall I2
Published Abstract Number: 1140
2.
Title: Development of Viral-Free FiCAT Gene Writing Platform for Liver-Directed In Vivo Applications
Date & Time: May 14, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM (local time)
Session: Gene Targeting and Gene Correction New Technologies
Location: Poster Session Hall I2
Published Abstract Number: 1141
About the FiCAT Gene-Writing Platform
The FiCAT platform represents a crucial step forward in gene-editing technologies for ex vivo therapies, particularly for hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and CAR-T cells. The challenge of achieving precise and safe gene editing has hindered the full therapeutic potential of current technologies. The FiCAT framework addresses these limitations by providing a versatile solution for editing small regions and efficiently programming larger gene edits in primary cells relevant to clinical applications. This platform integrates a CRISPR-Cas nuclease and proprietary engineered transposase, yielding unprecedented efficiency through systematic protein engineering and high-throughput screening.
With over 400,000 variants rigorously tested, the FiCAT platform has shown significant advantages over existing gene editing systems, effectively paving the way for enhanced therapeutic strategies. This innovative approach not only aims to maximize efficacy but also to increase safety, as it employs electroporation combined with specific inhibitors to mitigate toxicity associated with introducing exogenous DNA.
Overview of Integra Therapeutics
Founded in 2020 by Dr. Marc Güell and Dr. Avencia Sánchez-Mejías as a spin-off from Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), Integra Therapeutics is dedicated to crafting innovative gene-writing tools that boost the effectiveness, precision, and safety of advanced therapies. The company has formed strategic partnerships with significant players in the biotechnology sector and has secured backing from various international investors. In 2023, it received the My Green Lab sustainability certification. Based in Barcelona, Spain, Integra is poised to lead advancements in gene therapy and create impactful health solutions. For more information, please visit
integra-tx.com.