Researchers Share Insights about Mechanisms of Human Embryo and Create Method to Develop Transcriptionally Similar Cells in Tissue Culture – Newswise

UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL APRIL 28, 2022 at 11:00 AM E

Paper Title: Identification of a retinoic acid-dependent hemogenic endothelial progenitor from human pluripotent stem cells

Journal: Nature Cell Biology

Authors:Christopher Sturgeon, PhD, Associate Professor of Cell, Developmental & Regenerative Biology and Medicine, Hematology & Medical Oncology in the Black Family Stem Cell Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and other coauthors.

Bottom Line:Blood-forming stem cells found in bone marrow are the life-saving component used in bone marrow transplants. However, suitable donors often cannot be found in many cases. This study reveals how the human embryo develops the precursor to blood-forming stem cells, which researchers say can be used in the novel method they developed to generate blood-forming stem cells from cells in tissue culture.

The studyled by researchers from Mount Sinai and the San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy in Milan Italyconfirms many aspects of cell development, including origins and regulation, which are known to occur within both the mouse and human embryo. In the mammalian embryo, blood-forming stem cells emerge from a specialized cell type called hemogenic endothelium. These cells develop in response to a critical signal pathway known as retinoic acid, which is essential for growth. Their analysis found that stem cell populations derived from human pluripotent stem cells were transcriptionally similar to cells in the early human embryo.

Results: For years, researchers in the field of regenerative medicine have been able to obtain hemogenic endothelium from embryonic stem cells, but these cells do not produce blood-forming stem cells. In the embryo, blood-forming stem cell development requires signaling by retinoic acid. But, current state-of-the-art methods for deriving blood progenitors from human pluripotent stem cells do so in the absence of retinoic acid. In this latest study, researchers examined the dependence on retinoic acid in early cell types derived from human pluripotent stem cells. They performed single cell RNA sequencing of stem cells in vitro to better understand patterns of mesodermal cell types during early development. The research team identified a new strategy to obtain cells that are transcriptionally similar to those hemogenic endothelial cells found in the human embryo by stimulating a very discrete original population with retinoic acid.

Why the Research Is Interesting:This new method brings researchers and scientists closer to developing blood-forming stem cells in tissue culture, but also provides a pathway to establishing specialized blood cell types for transfusions and other treatments for cancer since the new method makings it possible to obtain the same original cells in adult blood that are found in a developing embryo.

Said Mount Sinai's Dr. Christopher Sturgeon of the research: We have made a major breakthrough in our ability to direct the development of stem cells in a tissue culture dish into cells that have the same gene expression signature as the immediate progenitor of a blood-forming stem cell found in the developing embryo. With this, now we can focus our efforts at understanding how to capture embryonic blood-forming stem cells, with the goal of using them as a substitute for bone marrow.

Researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO contributed to this study.

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Researchers Share Insights about Mechanisms of Human Embryo and Create Method to Develop Transcriptionally Similar Cells in Tissue Culture - Newswise

Development and regulation of stem cellbased therapies in China – Newswise

Background

Clinical researches of stem cell-based therapies are highly active in China, while it was arduous to determine the most effective way of clinical translation of those advanced therapies.

This article briefly introduced the regulatory framework development, the progress in stem cell clinical researches and clinical trials of commercially developed stem cell-based products, as well as the clinical review concerns of stem cell-based products in China.

The current regulatory framework of stem cell clinical researches in China was launched in 2015, when regulatory authorities issued Administrative Measures on Stem Cell Clinical Research (AMSCCR) detailing the rules of stem cell clinical research. Thereafter, the rapidly growing stem cell clinical researches were rigorously managed and clinical use of stem cell therapy was halted. Meanwhile, commercially developed stem cell-based products are supervised by Drug Administration Law (DAL).

The regulatory framework of stem cell-based therapy in China has progressed in the last few decades, which is currently regulated according to AMSCCR and DAL. Well-designed and patient-focused clinical trial is required for commercially developed stem cell-based products, and definite clinical benefit evidence is crucial to obtain marketing authorization.

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Development and regulation of stem cellbased therapies in China - Newswise

Highland Therapeutics Announces Appointment of Stephanie C. Read as President/CEO, Changes to Board of Directors – BioSpace

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Highland Therapeutics Inc., a privately held pharmaceutical company that through its wholly owned subsidiary, Ironshore Pharmaceuticals Inc., is focused on the commercialization of JORNAY PM (methylphenidate HCl) extended-release capsules (CII) for patients with ADHD, today announced the appointment of Stephanie C. Read as President/Chief Executive Officer, the appointment of Scott Myers as Chair of the Board and the additions of Kevin Bain and Ildiko Mehes as independent members of the Board of Directors. Stefan Antonsson, who has been serving as interim CEO will return to his role as an independent director.

It is my pleasure to congratulate Ms. Read in her transition from the Board of Directors to President/CEO, said Scott Myers, recently appointed Chair of the Board. Ms. Reads leadership in product development, corporate strategy, business development and specialty care commercialization will be key to driving sustainable growth with JORNAY PM, while enabling diversification into new therapeutic areas. I look forward to working closely with her to create value for patients, our employees and stakeholders."

The Board is grateful to interim CEO Stefan Antonsson for providing strategic direction and leadership continuity as we completed the financial restructuring of the company. After a brief transition, Stefan will return to his role as an independent member of the Board of Directors.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms. Read said, Highland and its subsidiaries are a rare instance of a privately held company with an exciting commercial product and experiencing rapid growth. I am pleased to join this seasoned executive team who have been successful in developing and launching JORNAY PM. With new capital from our shareholders and fresh perspectives from the new Board, we have the opportunity to continue to develop our products, people, processes and culture as we explore additional populations who may benefit from JORNAY PM."

Board of Directors:

Scott Myers, Chair of Board

Mr. Myers is a proven executive who brings nearly three decades of global pharmaceutical and medical technology most recently as CEO of AMAG, sold to Covis Pharmaceuticals, SA in November of 2020. Mr. Myers is a serial CEO, serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rainier Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on metastatic bladder cancer that was purchased by Fusion Pharmaceuticals in March of 2020. Prior to joining Rainier, Mr. Myers served as Chief Executive Officer, President and as a director of Cascadian Therapeutics Inc. prior to its acquisition by SeaGen in March of 2018. Mr. Myers also served as Chief Executive Officer of Aerocrine AB, a medical device company from 2011 to 2015 prior to its acquisition by Circassia. Mr. Myers is currently an independent director of Selecta Biosciences where he serves as the Chair of the Compensation and Benefits Committee, as well as a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee. Mr. Myers also serves as the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Nomination and Governance committees and is a member of the Audit Committee for Harpoon Therapeutics, a clinical stage oncology company. Mr. Myers is also Chairman of the Board for Sensorion, SA, a gene therapy company focused on inner ear diseases. Mr. Myers is also Chairman of the Board of Dynavax Technologies, a Hepatitis B vaccine and COVID Adjuvant commercial stage company.

Stefan Antonsson, Independent Director

Mr. Antonsson has over 30 years of commercial experience in the pharmaceutical industry, primarily as a senior marketing executive, and he has established a proven track record of contributing to the success of rapidly growing pharmaceutical companies. Stefan was a key member of the Richwood/Shire senior management team and played a leadership role in launching Adderall and developing Adderall XR, acquiring and launching Carbatrol, and initiating the development of Intuniv. Stefan has also held senior marketing positions with Pharmacia and Forest Laboratories and executive positions with Vela Pharmaceuticals and Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals. Stefan has also been involved in several entrepreneurial ventures which successfully developed, licensed, and commercialized CNS products. Stefan also completed a long-term consulting assignment as Senior Vice-President of Marketing for Supernus Pharmaceuticals where he was part of the senior management team that established the commercial function for the company and successfully launched two anti-epilepsy drugs. Stefan earned his BA from Columbia College and MBA from The Stern School of Business, NYU.

Kevin Bain, Independent Director and Chair of Audit Committee

Mr. Bain is currently Chief Corporate Development Officer of Cell Research Corporation, a Singapore-based biologics company. This is a clinical-stage company developing a platform of products using stem cells from the umbilical cord lining membrane. From early 2006 through mid-2020, Kevin worked in the generic pharmaceutical and biosimilar business in companies founded and led by Robert Wessman. Kevin joined Alvogen in August 2009 as Chief Financial Officer, with responsibility for all Finance and Information Technology functions for the global Alvogen business. In November 2015, Kevin moved to a sister company named Alvotech as Chief Financial Officer. He has led several financing rounds, raising more than $1.5 billion in total value. Prior to joining Alvogen and Alvotech he spent almost four years with Actavis as Vice President of Finance for the US business of Actavis. From mid-2001 to early 2006, Mr. Bain was VP of Finance with a division of Danaher Corporation. From 1979 to 2001, Mr. Bain held positions of increasing responsibility within the finance organization of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies in both Canada and the US, including Vice President of Finance for J&J Medical Products. Mr. Bain graduated from the Accounting program at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, Canada, and later earned his Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation. Kevin is currently a Board member and Chair of the Audit Committee of Akorn Pharmaceuticals, a leading US-based specialty pharmaceuticals company.

Ildiko Mehes, Independent Director

Ms. Mehes is an advisor to investment management firms, consulting firms and pharmaceutical companies about a wide range of risks and opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry. She previously spent 12 years at Teva Pharmaceuticals in a variety of business and legal roles including, most recently, Senior Vice President & General Counsel. Her areas of responsibility in the U.S. and Canada spanned New Product & Portfolio, R&D, Regulatory Affairs, and Legal Affairs. She has extensive expertise in intellectual property, including related to ADHD drugs, and also has significant pharmaceutical M&A experience. Prior to Teva, Ildiko was a pharmaceutical patent and commercial litigator. Ildiko is admitted to the Bars of Massachusetts and Ontario, Canada. She is also the recipient of several awards, including the National Post/ ZSA Canadian General Counsel Award for Litigation Management and the Association of Corporate Counsels Global Award for Litigation Management. Ildiko holds a B.A. (Honors) in Economics from Queens University, a J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School, both in Canada, and completed the Advanced Management Program at the Wharton Business School.

Stephanie C. Read, Chief Executive Officer

In addition to serving as the newly appointed President/CEO, Stephanie will continue to have a seat on the Board of Directors. Ms. Read also serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of ALSP Orchid Acquisition Corporation I. Ms. Read's 24-year biopharmaceutical career spans Global Research and Development, Medical Affairs, Alliance Management, Commercial and Business Development and Equity Investing. All leadership roles have included driving transformational change within organizations to accelerate top- and bottom-line growth, and diversification of company portfolios. Ms. Read's therapy area expertise includes Psychiatry (inventorship of MYDAYIS), Gastroenterology, Oncology & Pain, Infectious Disease, Immunology and Rare Diseases. Ms. Read's industry appointments include the last 6.5 years with CSL as global VP, Corporate Strategy and Business Development, 7.5 years with AstraZeneca/MedImmune in a variety of Medical Affairs, Commercial and Business Development roles, and over six years with Shire PLC in R&D and Global Medical Affairs (including inventing, developing and launching new treatments for ADHD). Stephanie holds a M.Sc. in Biotechnology from The Johns Hopkins University and a B.Sc. in Biology from Virginia Tech.

WARNING: ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE

See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.

See additional important safety information below.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE

CNS stimulants, including JORNAY PM, other methylphenidate-containing products, and amphetamines, have a high potential for abuse and dependence. Assess the risk of abuse prior to prescribing and monitor for signs of abuse and dependence while on therapy.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

ADVERSE REACTIONS

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION

Please visit http://ironshorepharma.com/labeling.pdf for additional important safety information and the Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning, for JORNAY PM.

About Highland Therapeutics Inc.

Highland Therapeutics Inc. is a pharmaceutical company whose mission is to develop and commercialize innovative, patient-centric treatment options. Based in North Carolina, subsidiary Ironshore Pharmaceuticals Inc. is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of pharmaceutical products within the US. Based in Grand Cayman, subsidiary Ironshore Pharmaceuticals & Development, Inc. develops novel therapeutics by leveraging its proprietary drug-delivery technology.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information, which reflects the companys current expectations regarding future events. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the companys control that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, the company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220426006027/en/

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Highland Therapeutics Announces Appointment of Stephanie C. Read as President/CEO, Changes to Board of Directors - BioSpace

Cellectis Receives $20 Million Convertible Note Under Collaboration Agreement with its Partner … – The Bakersfield Californian

Cellectis is developing custom TALEN for Cytovia to develop gene-edited iPSC-derived Natural Killer cellsCytovia and Isleworth Healthcare Acquisition Corp. announce business combination agreementand combined company is expected to be listed on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol INKC$20 million noterepresents upfrontcollaboration consideration and would convert into common stock upon completion of the business combination

NEW YORK, April 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cellectis (the Company) (Euronext Growth: ALCLS - NASDAQ: CLLS), a clinical-stage biotechnology company using its pioneering gene-editing platform to develop life-saving cell and gene therapies, announces today that its partner Cytovia Therapeutics, LLC (Cytovia), a biopharmaceutical company empowering natural killer (NK) cells to fight cancer through stem cell engineering and multispecific antibodies, entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Isleworth Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: ISLE) (Isleworth), a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC).

Concurrent with the business combination agreement, Cellectis received a $20 million convertible note in payment of the upfront collaboration consideration provided for pursuant to the research collaboration and non-exclusive license agreement entered between Cellectis and Cytovia in February 2021. The terms of the note provide for conversion into common stock of the combined company upon completion of the business combination, which is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions. In connection with this convertible note, Cellectis received a warrant to purchase additional shares of the combined company representing up to 35% of the shares issued upon conversion of the note at a predetermined exercise price, with the number of shares issuable upon exercise and the exercise subject to certain adjustments.

We are impressed by the progress Cytovia has accomplished in the past months. Cytovia shares Cellectis mission to provide life-saving off-the-shelf allogeneic cell therapies to patients, and we are excited to be providing them with best-in-class TALEN gene editing for cell therapy applications. Congratulations to the Cytovia team for this transaction, which is an important milestone as they continue their journey to progress gene-edited NK therapeutics towards a cure for cancer! said Andr Choulika, CEO of Cellectis.

Cellectis and Cytovias research and development collaboration:

In February 2021, Cellectis and Cytovia entered into a strategic research and development collaboration to develop TALEN gene-edited iPSC NK and CAR-NK cells. In November 2021, Cellectis and Cytovia extended their collaboration to include new CAR target and development in China by Cytovias strategic partner, CytoLynx Therapeutics.

Financial terms of the collaboration include the $20 million convertible note as well as up to $805 million of development, regulatory, and sales milestones and single-digit royalty payments on the net sales of all partnered products commercialized by Cytovia.

Cellectis is developing custom TALEN, which Cytovia uses to edit iPSCs. Cytovia is responsible for the differentiation and expansion of the gene-edited iPSC master cell bank into NK cells and is conducting the pre-clinical evaluation, clinical development, and commercialization of the mutually-agreed-upon selected therapeutic candidates. Cellectis has granted Cytovia a worldwide license under the patent rights over which Cellectis has control in this field, including in China, in order for Cytovia to modify NK cells to address multiple gene-targets for therapeutic use in several cancer indications.

About Cellectis

Cellectis is a clinical-stage biotechnology company using its pioneering gene-editing platform to develop life-saving cell and gene therapies. Cellectis utilizes an allogeneic approach for CAR-T immunotherapies in oncology, pioneering the concept of off-the-shelf and ready-to-use gene-edited CAR T-cells to treat cancer patients, and a platform to make therapeutic gene editing in hemopoietic stem cells for various diseases. As a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with over 22 years of expertise in gene editing, Cellectis is developing life-changing product candidates utilizing TALEN, its gene editing technology, and PulseAgile, its pioneering electroporation system to harness the power of the immune system in order to treat diseases with unmet medical needs. Cellectis headquarters are in Paris, France, with locations in New York, New York and Raleigh, North Carolina. Cellectis is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market (ticker: CLLS) and on Euronext Growth (ticker: ALCLS).

For more information, visit http://www.cellectis.com. Follow Cellectis on social media: @cellectis, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as anticipate, believe, intend, expect, plan, scheduled, could and will, or the negative of these and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements, which are based on our managements current expectations and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements include statements about the business combination of Cytovia and Isleworth, the conversion of the convertible note, the progress and advancement of the research collaboration with Cytovia, and the receipt by Cellectis of development, regulatory, and sales milestones and royalty payments from Cytovia. These forward-looking statements are made in light of information currently available to us and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including with respect to the numerous risks associated with biopharmaceutical product candidate development, market conditions, and the ability of Cytovia and Isleworth to satisfy the conditions of the business combination agreement. Furthermore, many other important factors, including those described in our Annual Report on Form 20-F and the financial report (including the management report) for the year ended December 31, 2021 and subsequent filings Cellectis makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, as well as other known and unknown risks and uncertainties may adversely affect such forward-looking statements and cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

About Cytovia

Cytovia aims to accelerate patient access to transformational cell therapies and immunotherapies, addressing several of the most challenging unmet medical needs in cancer. Cytovia focuses on harnessing the innate immune system by developing complementary and disruptive NK-cell and NK-engager antibody platforms. Cytovia is developing three types of iPSC-derived (or iNK) cells: unedited iNK cells, TALEN gene-edited iNK cells with improved function and persistence, and TALEN gene-edited iNK cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-iNKs) to improve tumor-specific targeting. The second complementary cornerstone technology is a quadrivalent multifunctional antibody platform designed to engage natural killer cells by targeting NKp46 using Cytovias proprietary Flex-NK technology.

These two technology platforms are being used to develop treatment of patients with solid tumors such as HCC and Glioblastoma as well as hematological malignancies such as Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

Headquartered in Aventura, FL, Cytovia has research and development laboratories in Natick, MA, and a GMP cell manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico. The companys own R&D work is augmented through scientific partnerships with Cellectis, CytoImmune, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, INSERM, the New York Stem Cell Foundation and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF).

Cytovia has a strategic partnership with CytoLynx Therapeutics, which is focused on research and development, manufacturing, and commercialization activities in Greater China and beyond.

For further information on Cellectis, please contact:

Media contacts: Pascalyne Wilson,Director,Communications,+33 (0)7 76 99 14 33, media@cellectis.com Margaret Gandolfo, Senior Manager, Communications, +1 (646) 628 0300

Investor Relation contact: Arthur Stril, Chief Business Officer, +1 (347) 809 5980, investors@cellectis.com Ashley R. Robinson, LifeSci Advisors, +1 617430 7577

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Cellectis Receives $20 Million Convertible Note Under Collaboration Agreement with its Partner ... - The Bakersfield Californian

An international consortium, led by IRB Barcelona and the biotechnology company Merus, reports the discovery of MCLA-158, the first clinical candidate…

image:Schematic depiction of MCLA-158 showing monovalent affinities of the EGFR (Fab232) and LGR5 (Fab072) Fab arms. view more

Credit: IRB Barcelona and Merus N.V.

Barcelona, 25 April 2022- Scientists from an international consortium led by Dr. Eduard Batlle, head of the Colorectal Cancer laboratory at IRB Barcelona, ICREA researcher and group leader of CIBER de Cncer (CIBERONC), together with the Dutch company Merus N.V., reveal the preclinical data that has led to the discovery of MCLA-158 and its mechanism of action on cancer stem cells. Named Petosemtamab, the antibody MCLA-158 prevents the onset of metastasis (that is, the spread of cancer to other vital organs) and slows the growth of primary tumours in experimental models of cancer.

Published today in Nature Cancer, the study also lays the groundwork for the use of organoids in the drug discovery process undertaken by pharmaceutical companies. Organoids are patient-derived samples that can be grown in the laboratory, and they reproduce certain aspects of the tumour compartment. Until now, their usefulness was being explored in personalised cancer medicinemeaning their value in helping physicians make decisions about the best treatment for each patient. However, for the selection of MCLA-158, a biobank of organoids from cancer patients was used for the first time to discriminate which new antibody, among hundreds, was most effective and believed to be most suitable for the majority of patients.

In October 2021, Merus N. V. reported preliminary data corresponding to interim efficacy analysis based on investigator review of its sponsored ongoing phase 1 dose expansion clinical trial investigating the safety, tolerability, and anti-tumour activity of MCLA-158 monotherapy in advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Three of seven HNSCC patients achieved partial responses, with one achieving complete response after the data cutoff date of August 2021. Tumour reduction was observed in all seven patients.

It is highly satisfying to see that our discoveries are helping patients. We started studying cancer stem cells 15 years ago. The journey to this point has been exciting but also very complex, and it has required a large investment of resources, as well as a great deal of work by many researchers. This study and the collaboration with Merus. N.V. reflects IRB Barcelona's focus: The medicine of the future starts here, says Dr. Batlle.

MCLA-158: a double-action antibody

Antibodies are proteins that are naturally produced by our bodies to recognise infectious agents or altered cells so that these can be removed by the lymphocytes of the immune system (white blood cells). The antibody described in this work, Petosemtamab (Peto, MCLA-158: LGR5 x EGFR Biclonics), is a bi-specific antibody that recognises two proteins, namely EGFR and LGR5, on the surface of cancer stem cells.

EGFR activity promotes uncontrolled cell growth, while LGR5 marks the surface of cancer stem cells, which are responsible for tumour expansion. Dr. Batlle's laboratory is recognised worldwide for its work on the identification and characterisation of colorectal cancer stem cells, and it has led work not only on the development of MCLA-158/ Petosemtamab but also on the characterisation of its mechanism of action.

In short, MCLA-158/ Petosemtamab degrades the EGFR protein in cancer stem cells that have the LGR5 marker, thereby blocking the growth and survival pathways in the cells that initiate and spread cancer. However, this antibody does not interfere with the functioning of healthy stem cells, which are essential for the proper functioning of tissues.

The MCLA-158 antibody is a potent inhibitor of colorectal cancer organoid growth and it blocks the initiation of metastasis, as well as growth in several preclinical models of cancer, including tumours of the head and neck, oesophagus, and stomach.

An organoid biobank for drug discovery

For the development and characterisation of this antibody, researchers from HUB Organoids built a large biobank comprising organoids derived from patients with colon cancer, organoids from colon cancer metastasis to the liver, and organoids from normal non-cancerous tissue. Scientists from OcellO B.V. (Crown Bioscience) performed high content screening with the organoids.

The use of organoids in the early stages of drug developmentin this case, therapeutic antibodiesfacilitates the identification of those that are effective for most patients or even against tumours carrying a specific mutation. Using organoids from healthy tissue, an additional advantage is the possibility to identify unwanted side effects of the drugs on organs. This approach has allowed the researchers to assess the harmful effects of the drug on healthy cells and thus withdraw antibodies with greater toxicity in the earliest stages of the study.

In the coming months, the company Merus N. V. plans to publish new data on the clinical trials underway with Petosemtamab. We are hopeful that the anti-tumour activity reported in the preliminary data will be confirmed, says Dr. Batlle.

This preclinical research published today in Nature Cancer includes work carried out within the framework of the suppresSTEM consortium, funded by the EU and involving collaborative work by various international research institutionsIRB Barcelona, the Hubrecht Institute and the Sanger Instituteand companies, namely Merus N. V. and OcellO B.V./Crown Bioscience. The Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), the Catalan Institute of Oncology (acronym ICO in Catalan) and the company Xenopat also collaborated in data for this publication.

Experimental study

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25-Apr-2022

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An international consortium, led by IRB Barcelona and the biotechnology company Merus, reports the discovery of MCLA-158, the first clinical candidate...