Helixmith Obtains European Patent for CAR-T Cell Therapy Technology

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] Helixmith announced on the 24th that it has obtained a European patent for CAR-T cell therapy technology targeting the TAG-72 antigen. The patent has been registered in Japan and Europe, and patent applications and registrations are pending in South Korea, the United States, China, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, and other countries.

This patent pertains to cells expressing anti-sialyl Tn chimeric antigen receptors (ANTI-SIALYL TN CHIMERIC ANTIGEN RECEPTORS) and compositions thereof. It can recognize and exert cytotoxic effects on cancers expressing the sialyl Tn antigen (STn) on the TAG-72 (Tumor Associated Glycoprotein 72) glycoprotein, which is highly expressed in solid tumors.

Helixmith has developed anti-STn CAR-T cells that specifically recognize the STn antigen and confirmed their antitumor effects against cancer cells expressing the STn antigen on the TAG-72 glycoprotein.

Cancers that can be treated with anti-STn CAR-T cells include all cancers that overexpress TAG-72. These include various intractable solid tumors such as ▲colorectal cancer ▲ovarian cancer ▲gastric cancer ▲breast cancer ▲esophageal cancer ▲bladder cancer ▲lung cancer ▲pancreatic cancer, and it is expected that these can be applied as cancer therapeutics.

Seungshin Yoo, CEO of Helixmith, said, “Helixmith is accumulating CAR-T therapeutic technology targeting various intractable solid tumors based on its self-developed retrovirus-based gene delivery system,” adding, “Based on patents in multiple countries, anticancer gene cell therapies for intractable cancers overexpressing TAG-72 can be developed.”