Developing Invariant Natural Killer T Cells for Multiple Myeloma, GVHD

“It's like having a pipeline in a single product. So, we're able to take advantage of the biologic features of the cells, put them into multiple different indications, all with the same manufacturing processes. It's a fantastic opportunity for us because we can continue to mass produce these cells and continue to interrogate their capability across a host of different diseases.”

MiNK Therapeutics’ goal is to develop allogeneic invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapies for oncologic and immune indications. iNKT cells combine the durability and memory of T-cells with the rapid killing power of NK cells.

MiNK’s lead program is AgenT-797, an off-the shelf iNKT cell therapy, in clinical trials in multiple myeloma (NCT04754100), solid tumor cancers (NCT05108623), and in patients with severe viral ARDS (NCT04582201). Initial data has demonstrated that the iNKT cell therapy has been well-tolerated when dosed up to 1 billion cells without lymphodepletion, with no incidences of cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity. Further data will be available in the second half of 2022.

CGTLive spoke with Jennifer Buell, PhD, president and chief executive officer, MiNK Therapeutics, to learn more about the advantages of iNKT cells and the company’s CARDIS platform. She discussed data seen so far with AgenT-797.

REFERENCE

MiNK Therapeutics announces patients dosed with AgenT-797 iNKT cell therapy in solid tumor cancers. News release. MiNK Therapeutics. March 3, 2022. https://investor.minktherapeutics.com/news-releases/news-release-details/mink-therapeutics-announces-patients-dosed-agent-797-inkt-cell