Advantages of Manufacturing Cell Therapies In-House
The chief technology and chief executive officer of Mustang Bio discussed the company’s integrated approach to drug development.
“Everything that happens, from the moment the cells are taken from the patient to the infusion, is controlled by mastering everything that happens in our manufacturing facility... I would say that is probably what separates us most from the typical biotech model.”
Mustang Bio is developing cell therapies for a variety of indications. Their lead program, MB-106, is a CD20-targeted, autologous CAR T cell therapy that has demonstrated efficacy in high-risk B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
The data showed that MB-106 treatment yielded an overall response rate (ORR) of 93% (14 of 15) and a complete response (CR) rate of 67% (10 of 15). ORR was 91% (10 of 11) and CR was 82% (9 of 11) in patients with follicular lymphoma. As of EHA 2021, all patients achieving CR remained in remission. CAR T persistence was seen in all dosages. The treatment had an acceptable safety profile, with cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurring in 6 patients (40%): 3 cases of grade 1 and 3 cases of grade 2.
GeneTherapyLive spoke with Manuel Litchman, MD, president, chief executive officer, and director, and Knut Niss, PhD, chief technology officer, Mustang Bio, to learn more about the company’s approach to producing cell therapies. They discussed how their in-house manufacturing allows for a more streamlined and efficient process.
