Analysts Reports (Imugene), page-77

City of Hope scientists have reengineered solid tumors for CAR-T rather than following the conventional approach of reengineering CAR-T for solid tumors.

Its a brilliant concept to utilise existing approved CAR-T therapy, developed for use in haematological cancers, by making solid cancers perform as if they were haematological - waving the CD19 flag. I was re-listening to the presentation for a specific comment that had previously piqued my interest.

The question had been asked whether there were any competitors who had adopted a similar approach. It appears that the answer is no but that others would follow now that the concept was proven. There are, however, important caveats. Firstly, Imugene is a long way down the track with OVs with CF33 about to enter the clinic. Secondly, Professor Yuman Fong said that they had complete patent protection in relation to the use of the outside of CD19 that simply tags the tumor cell without changing anything inside the cell.