#Singapore #Tikva Allocell #TAVST01 #EBV-specific T-cells

Tikva Allocell Advances Cancer Therapy with New Funding

In a significant step toward enhancing treatments for solid tumors, Tikva Allocell Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based biotechnology company, has announced the closing of an $8 million Series A financing round. This investment, primarily led by Kantharos Capital, aims to further develop Tikva's cutting-edge engineered, allogeneic T-cell therapies for both adult and pediatric patients.

Funding Purpose and Planned Developments

The funds raised will primarily be allocated to completing Investigational New Drug (IND) enabling activities and setting up for an IND submission for Tikva's lead product, TAVST01, by the end of 2026. TAVST01 is designed to target B7-H3, a crucial protein expressed in various challenging solid tumors, including those prevalent in lung, breast, prostate, pancreatic, and pediatric cancers. Importantly, this candidate is built from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) specific T cells, ensuring durability in the immune response against tumors while aiming for minimal rejection by the patient’s immune system.

Dr. Ivan Horak, the founder and CEO of Tikva Allocell, highlighted the uniqueness of TAVST01: "We started from a different premise — utilizing a virus-fighting T cell that the body naturally sustains, modified to track B7-H3 and engineered for resilience against immune rejection. This innovative approach positions us to overcome barriers that have historically hindered solid tumor therapies."

The Challenges of Solid Tumor Treatment

With conventional T-cell therapies often failing in solid tumors due to the body's immune rejection, Tikva's focus on utilizing EBV-specific T cells is promising. These immune cells, found in nearly everyone due to past infections, have a unique ability to persist long-term in the body, setting a foundation for potential sustained interventions against cancer cells. This durability is crucial in contrast to donor-derived T-cells, which frequently do not survive long enough to exert their therapeutic effects.

The therapeutic approach leverages the ALLO SerpinB9 EBVST platform, a technology exclusively licensed from Baylor College of Medicine. This platform integrates B7-H3-targeting receptors and enhanced forms of SerpinB9, a natural inhibitor of granzyme B—an enzyme that immune cells utilize to eliminate their targets. By using SerpinB9, Tikva’s therapies aim to minimize graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), ensuring a safer approach for patients with solid tumors.

Statements from Investors

Terence Tan, Managing Partner of Kantharos Capital, expressed firm belief in Tikva’s capabilities: "Our investment underscores our confidence in Tikva's scientific innovation and leadership team. We are excited to support efforts aimed at overcoming fundamental challenges linked to allogeneic therapies, enabling broader treatment possibilities for patients grappling with solid tumors."

The Path Forward

As the team at Tikva prepares for clinical trials set to commence in both Singapore and the United States, they look toward generating essential data to support the safety and efficacy of TAVST01. The company aims not only to position this therapy for individual tumor types but also to explore its potential in combination strategies and repeated dosing regimens.

The transformative potential of Tikva’s approach lies in its commitment to rectifying the challenges faced by solid tumor treatments—a landscape that has seen limited advancements. As research and clinical development march forward, the vision for a scalable, readily available therapy becomes ever more tangible.

About Tikva Allocell
Tikva Allocell is dedicated to pioneering engineered allogeneic T-cell therapies, embedded in a rich tapestry of scientific inquiry led by respected figures in virology and immunology. Their initiatives are centered on developing strategies to address significant medical needs, particularly for patients with solid tumors who represent a growing demand for effective therapies. For further insights, visit www.tikvaallocell.com.

About Kantharos Capital
Kantharos Capital pairs institutional rigor with the enduring vision offered by family office capital, providing lasting support for promising ventures in the biotech space and beyond.