Novel CLDN18.2-TAC T cell candidate effectively eradicated Claudin 18.2-expressing gastric tumor cells in vitro and in vivo

AUSTIN, Texas, and HAMILTON, Ontario, November 13, 2021 – [Triumvira Immunologics](/content/ "Triumvira Immunologics"/index.html) (“Triumvira”), a clinical-stage company developing novel, targeted autologous and allogeneic T cell therapeutics that do not require gene editing and co-opt the natural biology of T cells to treat patients with solid tumors, today announced the presentation of preclinical data from its proof-of-concept study in gastric cancer. These new data demonstrate that Triumvira’s novel T cell antigen coupler (TAC)-T cell candidate targeting Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) effectively eradicates CLDN18.2-expressing gastric tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. The results will be presented in a poster presentation today at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 36th Annual Meeting, taking place November 10-14, 2021, virtually and in-person at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Abstract

The T cell antigen coupler (TAC) is a novel, proprietary chimeric receptor that facilitates the re-direction of T cells to tumor cells and activates T cells by co-opting the endogenous T cell receptor complex with the goal to elicit a safe and durable anti-tumor response.

AUSTIN, Texas & HAMILTON, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Triumvira Immunologics (“Triumvira”) today announced that the first patient has been dosed as part of the TACTIC-2 trial evaluating the company’s lead candidate, TAC01-HER2, an autologous T cell therapy for the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive solid tumors. Triumvira, a clinical-stage company, is developing novel, targeted autologous, and allogeneic T cell therapeutics that co-opt the natural biology of T cells to treat patients with solid and liquid tumors. The company’s proprietary T cell Antigen Coupler (TAC) platform technology activates natural T cell functions differently from other cell therapies such as Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell (CAR-T) and engineered T cell receptor therapies.

AUSTIN, Texas & HAMILTON, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Triumvira Immunologics (“Triumvira” or the “Company”), a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing a novel platform for engineering T cells to attack cancers, today announced the appointment of Teresa McRoberts as Chief Financial Officer. The Company also announced the promotion of Andreas Bader, Ph.D. to Chief Scientific Officer and Jon Irvin to Senior Vice President of Finance. “We are pleased to welcome Teresa to our management team as we continue to advance our platform of novel T cell therapies toward the clinic. Teresa brings strong expertise in financial strategy and capital markets across the healthcare sector which will be invaluable as we enter our next phase of growth,” said Paul Lammers, M.D., M.Sc., President and CEO of Triumvira.

LEVERKUSEN, Germany & AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Triumvira Immunologics Inc. (“Triumvira”), a privately-held biopharmaceutical company developing a novel platform for engineering T-cells to attack cancers, successfully completed a USD $55 million Series A financing round. The financing was co-led by Leaps by Bayer, the impact investment unit of Bayer AG, and Northpond Ventures. T-cells are a type of white blood cell that is critical in ridding the body from abnormal and cancerous cells in healthy individuals. In cancer patients, these T-cells frequently fail to either recognize or effectively engage cancer cells. Novel T-cell therapies have the potential to disrupt cancer care and potentially even provide cures. Triumvira is committed to developing novel T-cell therapies that are safer and more efficacious than current cell therapy cancer treatments, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and engineered T-cell receptor (TCR) therapies.

AUSTIN, Texas & HAMILTON, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Triumvira Immunologics (Triumvira), a privately-held biopharmaceutical company developing a novel platform for engineering T-cells to attack cancers, today announced the issuance of key claims in U.S. Patent No. 10640562 entitled “T cell-antigen coupler with various construct optimizations.” The newly allowed TAC-CD19 composition-of-matter claims build on other composition-of-matter claims previously granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office and expand the protection of the company’s TAC platform and therapeutic product candidates. “Expanding intellectual property protection of our TAC platform is key to developing a solid technology platform, and this issuance confirms that the TAC is a well-differentiated technology,” said Dr. Paul Lammers, Triumvira’s President and CEO.

AUSTIN, Texas & HAMILTON, Ontario & BASEL, Switzerland–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Triumvira Immunologics Inc. (Triumvira), a private, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel platform for engineering T-cells to attack cancers, and Lonza, a leading cell & gene therapy manufacturer, announced today that the companies have an agreement in place.

This collaboration, aimed at the development of Triumvira’s TAC01-HER2 T-cell therapy for treating solid tumors, will leverage Lonza’s expertise in process development and the usage of its proprietary Cocoon® Platform. Immunotherapy, particularly T-cell products, belong to the most potent drugs that could overcome the complex barriers encountered in solid tumors. However, current T-cell approaches remain insufficiently effective. The TAC receptor represents a significant advancement, providing a novel mechanism of T-cell activation, leading to improved anti-tumor responses in solid tumor models.