On July 15, 2024 GC Cell (KRX: 144510.KS) and Checkpoint Therapeutics ("Checkpoint") (Nasdaq: CKPT) reported a collaboration to explore the combined therapeutic potential of cosibelimab, Checkpoint’s anti-PD-L1 antibody with dual mechanism of action, with GC Cell’s Immuncell-LC, an innovative autologous Cytokine Induced Killer ("CIK") T cell therapy composed of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer T cells (Press release, Checkpoint Therapeutics, JUL 15, 2024, View Source [SID1234644860]).
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This collaboration will initially focus on conducting in vitro combination studies to evaluate the synergistic effects of these two therapies on cancer cell destruction. Positive preliminary data from these studies could potentially pave the way for future in vivo research and clinical studies.
The anticipated synergy between cosibelimab’s antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity ("ADCC") mechanism of action and Immuncell-LC’s robust autologous CIK T cell response is supported by extensive research. This combination is expected to leverage immune system components more effectively in targeting and eliminating cancer cells.
James Park, CEO of GC Cell, highlighted the agreement’s potential: "This collaboration is a pivotal step towards significant technological collaborations. The integration of cosibelimab’s clinical efficacy and safety profile with our Immuncell-LC could set new therapeutic standards in immuno-oncology. We are optimistic that this partnership will lead to effective commercial licensing or joint development in the future."
James F. Oliviero, CEO of Checkpoint Therapeutics, concurred: "Both cosibelimab, with its dual mechanism of action, and Immuncell-LC show great promise as potential immuno-oncologic therapies. We are pleased to work in collaboration with GC Cell to determine if using the two therapies in combination may offer even greater potential benefits than being used singly."
About Immuncell-LC
Immuncell-LC stands as the sole commercially approved adoptive T cell therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma adjuvant treatment. Comprising autologous, significantly expanded CIK (Cytokine Induced Killer) T lymphocytes, it has demonstrated proven efficacy in a large-scale Phase 3 clinical trial—reducing the risk of recurrence by 37% and decreasing mortality by 79% compared to the active surveillance group. Administered to over 10,000 patients in South Korea, Immuncell-LC has shown an excellent safety profile without treatment-related serious adverse events.
About Cosibelimab
Cosibelimab is a potential differentiated, high affinity, fully-human monoclonal antibody of IgG1 subtype that directly binds to programmed death ligand-1 ("PD-L1") and blocks the PD-L1 interaction with the programmed death receptor-1 ("PD-1") and B7.1 receptors. Cosibelimab’s primary mechanism of action is based on the inhibition of the interaction between PD-L1 and its receptors PD-1 and B7.1, which removes the suppressive effects of PD-L1 on anti-tumor CD8+ T-cells to restore the cytotoxic T cell response. Cosibelimab is potentially differentiated from the currently marketed PD-1 and PD-L1 antibodies through sustained high tumor target occupancy of PD-L1 to reactivate an antitumor immune response and the additional potential benefit of a functional Fc domain capable of inducing ADCC for potential enhanced efficacy.