CAR-CIK
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) modified Cytokine Induced Killer (CIK) cells
Why use CIK cells?
- NOT an NK or T cell
- Ideal for Allogeneic cell therapy
- Simple and robust manufacturing process
- Successfully produced at 3 independent facilities
- Dual killing mechanisms
- Persist long-term in vivo
- Resistant to inducing GvHD
- Allows for significant tissue mismatch
- Overcomes persistence/durability of response problems seen with other allo therapies
- Proven safe and efficacious in clinical trials
- Simple and robust manufacturing process
*BLOOD (2008) 112(6):2563
Highly efficient proprietary non-viral gene transfer technology: Sleeping Beauty 100X (SB100X)**
- CoImmune holds exclusive world-wide license
- Simple electroporation step
- Consistently high gene transfer rate (60%-90% genetically modified cells)
- Faster next generation product development timelines achievable with no need for virus stocks
**Crit. Rev. in Biochem and Mol Bio (2017) 52(4):355–380
Streamlined manufacturing process
Production based on material from healthy donors reduces lot-to-lot variability compared to autologous CAR-T therapies
CAR-CIK therapy offers numerous advantages over traditional CAR-T therapy
| CAR-CIK Products | Approved CAR-T Products |
|---|---|
| Allogeneic (healthy donors, requires only low-resolution tissue match enabling off-the-shelf availability) | Autologous (complex logistics and supply chain) |
| Little to no toxicity (allows repeat dosing, no SAEs to date) | Toxicity limits patient eligibility |
| Dual killing mechanisms (antigen dependent and independent) | Single killing mechanism |
| Inexpensive non-viral genetic modification (more efficient than virus) | Viral genetic modification significantly increases COGs, potential safety issues |
| Simplified manufacturing process (multiple doses/run) | No economy of scale |
Compared to other allogeneic CAR-Ts under development, CAR-CIK products are resistant to GVHD and do not require additional genetic engineering to reduce immunogenicity or immunosuppression of the patient
