#USA #Irvine #CAR T Therapy #Follicular Lymphoma #PeproMene Bio

Investment to Advance CAR T Cell Therapy

PeproMene Bio, Inc. (PMB) has made headlines following an announcement regarding a substantial $11 million investment from the Institute for Follicular Lymphoma Innovation (IFLI). This funding is poised to catalyze the clinical development of PMB-CT01, a leading-edge BAFF-R CAR T cell therapy designed specifically for patients grappling with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma.

The investment structure includes an upfront payment of $6 million, along with an additional $5 million in conditional tranched funding. This financial support comes as a result of promising early results from PMB's PMB-102 Phase 1 study, highlighting a significant opportunity to improve therapeutic outcomes for patients who have not responded to existing treatments.

The expansion phase of the Phase 1 study aims to include patients suffering from relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma, allowing for a more extensive evaluation of the BAFF-R targeting CAR T cells in adult patients with B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL).

Innovative Approach to Lymphoma Treatment

BAFF-R CAR T cell therapy is quite unique as it has emerged from a partnership with City of Hope. The goal is to provide a significant treatment alternative to the current standards, particularly for patients whose conditions have not been adequately addressed by existing therapies such as commercial CD19 CAR T cell therapy.

Hazel Cheng, PhD, COO of PMB, emphasized the pressing need for safe and effective treatment options for patients following the use of CD19 CAR T therapies, noting, “We are deeply committed to the ongoing scientific and clinical development of this potentially promising new cell therapy in r/r follicular lymphoma and other types of B cell malignancies.”

The excitement surrounding PMB-CT01 is further cemented by research findings from the ongoing trials. Elizabeth Budde, M.D., Ph.D., who serves as the principal investigator, reported noteworthy results; notably, all six patients treated with PMB-CT01 exhibited a 100% complete response rate (CR), along with only low-grade treatment-related adverse events. This is particularly encouraging given that most participants had relapsed after prior CD19 CAR T therapy and/or presented with CD19 negative tumors.

A Breakthrough in Cell Therapy

This innovative CAR T cell therapy is characterized by its ability to effectively target B cells due to the expression of the BAFF-R receptor, which is crucial for B-cell survival. The potential for BAFF-R CAR T cell therapy to surpass existing FDA-approved CD19 CAR therapies is particularly noteworthy, as it showcases a favorable balance between efficacy and safety.

Michel Azoulay, M.D., CMO of IFLI, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “PMB-CT01 shows tremendous potential in enhancing patient outcomes for Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas, particularly follicular lymphoma.”

As PeproMene Bio embarks on this new chapter of treatment exploration, the prospect of offering hope to patients facing the complexities of recurrent lymphoma is more tangible than ever. Their commitment to increasing the arsenal of available therapies epitomizes a significant stride forward in cancer treatment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the investment by IFLI in PeproMene Bio underscores the ongoing commitment to advancing oncology and the development of innovative treatment strategies. As PMB-CT01 moves into this critical phase of clinical evaluation, its potential to positively impact the lives of patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma shines brightly. To stay updated on PeproMene Bio's journey, interested parties can visit pepromenebio.com and for more about IFLI, check out i-fli.org.