China-based JW Therapeutics (HKG: 2126) announced the initiation of a Phase I clinical study for its JWATM204 in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This first-in-human study aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, dose-limiting toxicity, and pharmacokinetic profile of JWATM204 in adult subjects with advanced HCC. It will also explore the anti-tumor activity of JWATM204 in the target population. Promising preclinical results have shown the potential for continued clinical development of JWATM204 for the treatment of HCC.
Drug Development
Developed on the ARTEMIS T-cell receptor (TCR) platform of US-based Eureka Therapeutics, JWATM204 has high affinity and specificity for the glypican-3 (GPC-3) antibody, which regulates the WNT signaling pathway and is upregulated in liver cancers. JW Therapeutics acquired a license to the therapy for Greater China and ASEAN countries through the purchase of Hong Kong-based Syracuse Biopharma in July 2020. The technical transfer and renovation of facilities and equipment at JW’s Shanghai manufacturing site to accommodate the cell therapy have been completed.
Technology Platform
The ARTEMIS T-cell platform is Eureka’s novel, proprietary technology designed to utilize the natural biology of T cells to fight cancer. It creates Antibody-T-Cell Receptors (AbTCRs) by combining a target-binding domain from an antibody Fab fragment with an effector domain from the human gamma / delta TCR. The resulting molecules are expected to significantly reduce or eliminate cytokine release syndrome (CRS) associated with T-cell overactivation and other life-threatening cytokine-related toxicities. With the assistance of co-stimulatory molecules on the surface of T cells, sufficient T cell activation signals can be generated, promoting T cell activation and strengthening antitumor activity.-Fineline Info & Tech
