On January 25, 2016 The MediGene AG (MDG 1, Frankfurt, Prime Standard), an immune oncology company with clinical development projects focused on developing T-cell-targeted therapy platforms to fight cancer, reported that it is in a collaboration agreement with the University of Lausanne known in Switzerland, which has the goal to establish a better and faster method for selection of tumor-specific T cells (Press release, MediGene, JAN 25, 2016, View Source [SID:1234508854]). These actions deal with T-cell receptors (TCRs) expressing to be transferred to MediGene’s growing TCR library. Through the agreement, MediGene receives access to ultramodern NTAmer technology which is marketed by TCMetrix, a spin-off of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Lausanne and continuously developed together with leading scientists of the University of Lausanne. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

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Prof. Dolores J. Schendel, Chief Scientific Officer and designated CEO of MediGene AG, comments: "Through this collaboration, we can explore the latest technologies for the completion of our highly innovative TCR platform The NTAmer technology helps us, through the study of living. T cells additional information on the structural avidity [1] to win our T-cell receptors. This helps us to select the optimal TCR antigen sensitivity for our TCR library that we use for the treatment of patients with different MHC build patterns and various cancers. "

Prof. Dr. George Coukos, Professor at the University of Lausanne and director of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Lausanne adds: "The development of personalized, cell-based immune therapies is a main objective of the Ludwig Institute in Lausanne, since such approaches hold great promise for the treating cancers are. We are pleased about the cooperation with MediGene to its innovative TCR technology and are confident that they will once again be of significant benefit for cancer patients, especially those with advanced and refractory disease. "

As part of the collaboration, scientists of the Department of Oncology at the University of Lausanne will perform kinetic Dissoziationsanalysen on human T cells (T-cells with MediGene’s own TCR candidates) by means of innovative NTAmer technology. This technology determines the so-called structural TCR avidity by measuring dissociation monomeric TCR-peptide-MHC complexes on cell surfaces of TCR-candidates to enable Medi genes for the selection of tumor-specific T cells with an optimal functional avidity for various cancers. The tailored NTAmer reagents are patented and are of TCMetrix Ltd. produced.

About MediGene TCR technology: MediGene’s technology for T cell receptor (TCR) modified T cells is one of the highly innovative and complementary immunotherapy platforms of the company. These adoptive T-cell therapy is designed for the treatment of patients with advanced tumor stages. MediGene is preparing first TCR product candidates for clinical development.

The TCR technology aims to equip the body’s own T cells of patients with tumor-specific T cell receptors. The receptor-modified T-cells are then able to detect tumor cells and efficiently destroy. This immunotherapeutic approach seeks the existing tolerance towards cancer cells and the tumor-induced immunosuppression in patients to overcome by the T cells of the patient are activated and modified outside the body (ex vivo). A large number of specific T-cells, which can fight the tumor, is made available so for patients within a short time.

MediGene is building under this platform to an extensive library of recombinant T cell receptors. In addition, a method for combining these receptors with the patient’s own T cells in accordance with the regulatory GMP standards (Good Manufacturing Practice, GMP) is currently being established.

MediGene is preparing the clinical development of initial product candidates. In addition, new TCRs are specifically isolated and characterized for promising tumor-associated antigens. MediGene is planning in the coming years the development of up to ten lead molecules for TCR technology and strives for this therapeutic approach the launch of up to three clinical trials, one of which is to start first in the first half 2016 (IIT Phase I trial with MediGene participation, subject to public funding). MediGene was responsible and funded studies are expected to begin in the second half of 2017 and the second half of 2018th