Kite Partners with Epic Bio to Integrate Epigenetic Editing into Next-Generation CAR-T Therapies for Blood Cancers

▎WuXi

Edited by Kant Content Team

Gilead Sciences' Kite Pharma Announces Research Collaboration and Licensing Agreement with Epic Bio to Advance Next-Generation Cell Therapies for Cancer Using Gene Regulation PlatformThrough this collaboration, Kite will use Epic Bio's proprietary technology to regulate specific genes to enhance the functionality of CAR-T cells.

Epic Bio is a pioneer in epigenetic editing therapies. Epic Bio's pipeline includes EPI-321, which is currently undergoing IND-enabling studies for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). In addition, the company is focused on developing therapies for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (A1AD), heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), and other indications.

The company's proprietary Gene Expression Modulation System (GEMS) is a modular platform for epigenetic editing, which allows in vivo delivery via a single AAV vector as a CRISPR system.A notable feature of the GEMS platform isCapable of finely regulating gene expression inside and outside the organism without being restricted by mutation types, meaning a single GEMS therapy may treat most genetic variations of a specific disease.The modular nature of GEMS provides flexibility in treatment.

Under the collaboration agreement, Epic Bio will be responsible for developing vectors for targets selected by Kite, which will be applied in the development of CAR-T cell therapies targeting blood cancers. As part of the agreement, Epic Bio will receive an upfront payment from Kite and is eligible to receive additional payments based on development, regulatory, and sales milestones in the future.

References:

[1] Kite And Epic Bio Announce Collaboration To Develop NewTherapies For Cancer. Retrieved October 31, 2023 from https://www.kitepharma.com/news/press-releases/2023/10/kite-and-epic-bio-announce-collaboration-to-develop-new-therapies-for-cancer

[2] Our platform, called the Gene Expression Modulation System (GEMS),combines a DNA-binding protein, a customized guide RNA, and any of a wide arrayof modulator proteins to create a powerful new type of genetic medicine.Retrieved October 31, 2023 from https://epic-bio.com/platform/