Novel Sorrento CAR-T technology a potential “game-changer

Company envisions the development and IND filings of multiple “next-frontier” CAR-T programs in 2018 and beyond, which will position the company as a potential major player in the fast-growing CAR-T space of immunotherapies against cancers.

This novel Sorrento CAR-T technology has already been utilized preclinically to generate CD38 CAR-T and CD19 CAR-T cells. These CAR-T cells have been evaluated and compared against CAR-T cells generated using current retrovirus transduction methods. Data suggest that the non-virally generated CAR-T cells performed similarly to retrovirally-transduced CAR-T cells with regards to CAR expression, cytokine production, and cytotoxicity against target-expressing tumor cells.

This innovative non-viral CAR-T technology may offer several potential benefits compared with existing virus-based technology using CAR gene-encoding lentivirus, retrovirus or adeno-associated virus (AAV) to introduce CAR constructs into healthy donor (allogeneic) or cancer patient (autologous) T cells. These potential advantages of Sorrento’s non-viral CAR-T technology include

Sorrento is planning on applying its innovative non-viral CAR-T technology to CAR-T programs for multiple hematological and solid tumor indications, including but not limited to: multiple myeloma, lymphoma, liver cancer, sarcoma, pancreatic cancer and glioma. Utilizing the vast portfolio of target-specific, fully human monoclonal antibodies discovered from its proprietary G-MAB library, Sorrento envisions the development and IND filings of multiple “next-frontier” CAR-T programs in 2018 and beyond, which will position the company as a potential major player in the fast-growing CAR-T space of immunotherapies against cancers.

“Building on our preclinical and clinical experience in CAR-T cell manufacturing with our “state-of-the-art” cGMP facilities, and looking at the next frontier, we are excited to share this robust development of non-viral CAR-T technology for both autologous and allogeneic CAR-T therapies. This new “game-changer” technology may translate into faster development timelines, more cost-effective cGMP manufacturing and possible removal of the regulatory requirement to follow patients for 15 years post treatment,” stated Dr. Henry Ji. “We also have obtained preclinical data suggesting that cord blood T cells are a potentially rich and valuable “off-the-shelf” T cell source, enabling allogeneic CAR-T therapy. Working with our strategic partner, Celularity, Inc.1, Sorrento intends to develop multiple, potentially paradigm-shifting allogeneic CAR-T programs for hematological and solid tumor indications with high unmet medical need.”