#USA #Los Angeles #ARPA-H #Autoimmune Diseases #ImmunoVec

ImmunoVec Emerges from Stealth Mode with Major Funding

ImmunoVec, an innovative biotechnology company, has officially launched and announced it has secured up to $40.7 million in funding from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). This substantial investment is directed towards the development of their cutting-edge in vivo cell engineering platform, which aims to tackle serious autoimmune diseases.

This new initiative is pivotal, as it represents a collaborative effort with some of the world’s foremost researchers from prestigious institutions like Johns Hopkins University and MD Anderson Cancer Center. The focus is on utilizing a unique DNA-loaded polymeric nanoparticle system designed to precisely reprogram immune cells directly in patients’ bodies. This technology holds the promise to reset the immune system and revolutionize treatment protocols for life-threatening autoimmune conditions.

Ryan Wong, Ph.D., ImmunoVec’s CEO and co-founder, expressed gratitude for the ARPA-H award, stating that it underscores the distinctiveness of ImmunoVec's approach to in vivo cell engineering. The ultimate goal is to overcome the limitations typical of current cell therapies by enabling more potent, affordable, and accessible treatment options on an unprecedented scale.

Traditional in vivo cell engineering methods, whether viral or non-viral, often face challenges including high manufacturing costs and a lack of cell type specificity. ImmunoVec's platform aims to address these issues through a dual-precision design. It matches targeted polymer-based DNA delivery systems with proprietary promoters that focus on specific cell types to ensure that the therapeutic agents act only within designated cell populations.

A further advantage of ImmunoVec's biodegradable polymer technology lies in its low cost, scalability, and reduced immunogenicity compared to traditional vectors and nanoparticles. Moreover, their DNA-based payload offers sustained expression over a prolonged period, marking a significant improvement over the temporary effects provided by mRNA systems. This new strategy could enable unprecedented control, enhancing both efficacy and safety of genetic therapies.

Particularly noteworthy is the focus of ImmunoVec’s ARPA-H-funded project, which seeks to engineer natural killer (NK) cells in vivo using a CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) construct. This innovative method is designed to effectively deplete autoreactive B cells responsible for causing autoimmune diseases, presenting considerable advantages over conventional CAR therapies which are conducted outside the body (ex vivo).

ImmunoVec was founded with the mission to translate its advanced platform into clinical applications. Under the guidance of experts like William Woodward, chairperson and co-founder, and Doug Sills from Anthem Venture Partners, the company is well-equipped to innovate in this challenging field. With a track record of developing therapies aimed at addressing serious pediatric immune disorders such as X-linked chronic granulomatous disease and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, the company shows promise in advancing long-lasting solutions with proven pre-clinical outcomes.

The organization is not only focused on the ARPA-H project but is also developing multiple preclinical programs that leverage its platform for potential therapies targeting autoimmune disorders, solid tumors, and genetic diseases. Additionally, ImmunoVec is actively engaged in securing Series A funding to further expedite its development pipeline.

In conclusion, ImmunoVec is redefining the landscape of cell and gene therapies, aiming to hasten the process of delivering life-saving treatments while keeping costs manageable. Their groundbreaking work embodies a potential shift in therapeutic approaches for some of the most challenging medical conditions we face today. For ongoing updates, interested parties can visit their official website at ImmunoVec.