Senti Biosciences, which is developing next-generation cell and gene therapies using its proprietary Gene Circuit technology platform, announced a strategic effort to extend its cash runway through at least the first quarter of 2024.
Photo: Timothy Lu, CEO and co-founder of Senti Bio.
The company said it will focus internal resources on SENTI-202, SENTI-401 and, with potential partners, to continue to pursue the development of Gene Circuits for other programs, including solid tumors.
SENTI-202 is a Logic Gated (OR+NOT) off-the-shelf CAR-NK cell product candidate that is designed to target and eliminate acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells while sparing the healthy bone marrow. The company has started studies expected to enable it to file to begin human clinical studies. It remains on track to file an IND application in the second half of 2023. In addition, the company has initiated the technology transfer to its cGMP manufacturing facility as part of its goal to provide clinical-scale manufacturing for its off-the-shelf CAR-NK cell product candidates, including SENTI-202.
The SENTI-401 program incorporates multiple Gene Circuit technologies to target solid tumors expressing the CEA tumor antigen, including colorectal cancer.
Beyond oncology, the company is continuing its strategic research collaborations with Spark Therapeutics on next-generation AAV gene therapy, and BlueRock Therapeutics on iPSC-derived cell therapies.
The company said it does not intend to invest in the clinical development of SENTI-301A, for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), on its own at this time. It does believe there is significant market opportunity for SENTI-301A, especially in territories within Asia where HCC is more prevalent than in the United States. It said it is actively pursuing strategic geographic partnerships for clinical development of SENTI-301A.
“We are laser focused on developing cell therapies engineered with Gene Circuits to enable selective killing of tumor cells while protecting healthy cells,” said Timothy Lu, CEO and co-founder of Senti Bio. “Our Gene Circuits, especially our NOT gate, are designed to enable advanced cell and gene therapies to potentially have enhanced precision, activity and control, across therapeutic areas and delivery modalities, including NK cells and T cells.”
Author: Rare Daily Staff
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