On January 3, 2019 Crescendo Biologics Ltd (Crescendo), the drug developer of novel, targeted T-cell enhancing therapeutics, reported that Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) is planning to evaluate the application of recently licensed Humabodies from Crescendo for the development of novel CAR-T therapeutics (Press release, Crescendo Biologics, JAN 3, 2019, View Source [SID1234553819]).
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This research will investigate the unique properties of the Humabody VHs for tumour targeting of CAR-Ts. Unlike single-chain variable fragments (scFvs), Humabody VHs do not require a light chain for high specificity and affinity, and can be easily configured for multi-specific target binding. Takeda’s decision to license these Humabodies provides an opportunity to evaluate a large number of different VHs directed to the same target, in order to identify a format that delivers both enhanced safety and functionality.
Crescendo’s global, strategic, multi-target collaboration and license agreement with Takeda was first announced in October 2016. Under this agreement, Crescendo’s proprietary transgenic platform and engineering expertise is being used to identify and configure Humabody-based therapeutics against certain targets selected by Takeda.
Dr Peter Pack, CEO of Crescendo, commented:
"We’re pleased to see the research Takeda is undertaking with our Humabody technology. Their desire to explore the Humabody technology in a CAR-T setting presents an exciting opportunity to evaluate whether Humabodies can address the issues that exist with other CAR-T targeting approaches."