Cellectis presents preclinical data for cancer therapy and gene editing
Biotechnology company Cellectis presented preclinical data for two of its cell therapy candidates at the ISCT 2023 event in Paris, focusing on leukemia treatment and gene correction.
New York, NY – Cellectis, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, presented preclinical data from two of its cell and gene therapy programs at the 29th International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) annual meeting in Paris. The presentations showcased progress in the development of UCART20x22 for B-cell malignancies and advancements in gene editing for sickle cell disease.
The UCART20x22 candidate, Cellectis' first allogeneic dual-targeting CAR T-cell therapy, is designed to address both CD20 and CD22 antigens. This dual-targeting approach aims to overcome challenges associated with antigen loss and relapse observed with current therapies. Preclinical data presented demonstrated robust in vitro and in vivo activity against tumor cells expressing varying levels of CD20 and CD22, suggesting potential broad applicability in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL).
In a separate presentation, Cellectis highlighted the potential of its TALEN® gene editing technology for treating sickle cell disease. The company presented data showing efficient correction of the HBB gene mutation in hematopoietic stem cells using both viral and non-viral delivery methods. These findings suggest a viable therapeutic alternative for patients ineligible for allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Additionally, Cellectis shared findings related to the optimization of TALE Base Editors (TALE-BE), a technology aimed at improving the precision of gene editing. This work contributes to the broader development of gene editing tools for various therapeutic applications.
Cellectis is currently evaluating UCART20x22 in the NATHALI-01 Phase 1/2a clinical study for patients with relapsed/refractory B-NHL. The company continues to focus on advancing its pipeline to address unmet medical needs.