Hi Dicky
It was also great catching up at the earlier set of Roadshows.
The Saegen treatments are ‘antibody’ based, unlike our CF33 treatments which, as we all know are ‘virus’ based.
Saegen is also well down the cancer treatment path, with multiple approvals across several indications. Saegen is a serious player. The Saegen team are chasing many, many different cancers via numerous trials.
Having said that, IMU appears to be able to chase ANY cancer, via the incredible CF33 treatments.
I will have a go at a very simple explanation of their ADC line but please remember, as I mentioned when we spoke, I am not an oncologist ... my area of research is in a totally different field. I am sure any oncologists on HC will be able to give a much ‘fuller’ unpacking of the Saegen science.
Saegen uses ADC technology (antibody-drug conjugates). Put very simply, these are made up of 3 parts, with the two key components being the monoclonal antibody and an added cytotoxic agent.
When this treatment is administered, it targets cancer cells, which is what we are seeing our virus do also, but Saegen do it in a different way. IMU is looking to turn tumours from ‘cold’ to ‘hot’, and thus allowing the body’s own immune system to ‘wack’ the cancer.
ADC tech ‘splits’ or ‘cracks’ the cells, and in their words ‘degrades’ them. The cytotoxic agent is then released and ‘stifles’ (my word) the G2/M phase, causing the death of the unwanted cell (ie. cancer). This is seriously clever stuff.
• Having said that, will ADC ‘wack’ every type of cancer (like CF33)? I don’t know.
• Will it automatically, chase down and identify secondary malignant growths (like CF33)? I don’t know.
So, that is a very much ‘over simplified’ explanation of Saegen’s ADC treatment. They are also using SEA technology (sugar-engineered antibody), but that’s another story. I probably haven't done their science justice, but that will happen when you over-simplify.
Personally, I love the virus approach, and I am very, very happy to stick with it. IMO it has ‘unlimited’ potential and I think we will see the CF33 related data proving this very soon.
Note: the above is definitely an ‘over simplified’ explanation and the general comments are opinion only.
(20min delay)