SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Feb. 1, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Allogene Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALLO), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of an allogeneic drug for the treatment of cancer Allogeneic CAR T (AlloCAR T™) product, presented preclinical data highlighting the company’s next-generation DaggerTM value Platform Technologies on Emerging Cell Therapies at the Keystone Symposium on Frontiers in Cancer Immunotherapy, Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Dagger technology, first unveiled at the company’s R&D showcase in November 2022, is designed to counteract rejection of AlloCAR T cells by host immune cells, thereby extending the persistence window during which AlloCAR T cells can expand and actively target and destroy Cancer cells. Dagger is a component of Allogene’s anti-CD70 product candidate ALLO-316, which is being evaluated in TRAVERSE, a Phase 1 study in patients with relapsed/refractory renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
“We are excited about the potential of this proprietary technology to enhance AlloCAR T cell function by preventing premature rejection of cells while potentially reducing reliance on other lymphocyte depletion strategies,” said Dr. Barbra Sasu, Chief Scientific Officer of Allogene. “Early clinical experience with ALLO-316 in advanced renal cell carcinoma demonstrated that Dagger can significantly enhance the expansion and persistence of AlloCAR T cells. We are eager to apply this technology to other product candidates targeting hematological and solid tumors.”
The Dagger platform equips AlloCAR T cells with a CD70-targeting receptor designed to recognize and deplete CD70-positive host cells while masking the CD70 molecule expressed by AlloCAR T cells themselves to prevent cannibalism. CD70 is expressed on activated T cells and NK cells, and by selectively depleting alloreactive host cells, Dagger can potentially prevent immune rejection of AlloCAR T cells. The results of these preclinical studies showed that:
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The CD70 Dagger construct was optimized to selectively deplete alloreactive T cells, thereby enhancing AlloCAR T cell survival in multiple in vitro rejection models
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Allogeneic CAR T cells expressing dual CD19 CAR and CD70 Dagger receptors show the ability to simultaneously kill CD19-positive tumor cells and resist rejection and cannibalism
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CD19 AlloCAR T cells equipped with CD70 Dagger are dual specific and prevent tumor cell escape dependent on CD19 antigen loss in vitro and in vivo
The company pursues an integrated strategy in research and development that aims to match technology with insights gained from the clinic to improve patient outcomes. In addition to ALLO-316, the company plans to deploy Dagger technology to enhance the persistence and activity of next-generation AlloCART products.
About ALLO-316
ALLO-316 is an AlloCAR T investigational product that targets CD70, which is highly expressed in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). CD70 is also selectively expressed in several cancers, creating potential for ALLO-316 to be exploited in various hematological malignancies and solid tumors. The ongoing Phase 1 TRAVERSE trial is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and activity of ALLO-316 in patients with advanced or metastatic clear cell RCC. In March 2022, the FDA granted Fast Track Designation (FTD) to ALLO-316 based on its potential to address an unmet need in patients with refractory RCC who have failed standard RCC therapy.
About Allogene Therapeutics
Allogene Therapeutics, headquartered in South San Francisco, is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor T cell (AlloCAR T™) products for the treatment of cancer. Allogene, led by a management team with extensive experience in cell therapy, is developing a pipeline of “off-the-shelf” CAR T cell candidates with the goal of delivering off-the-shelf cell therapies on-demand, more reliably, and at a larger scale for more patient.For more information, please visit www.allogene.com And follow @AllogeneTx on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Cautionary note on forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some instances, this press release may use terms such as “forecast,” “believe,” “potential,” “suggest,” “continue,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” Words such as “intend,” “may,” “could,” “could,” “will,” “should” or other words convey the uncertainty of future events or results are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements about intentions, beliefs, forecasts, outlooks, analyzes or current expectations, including: the ability to advance ALLO-316; the ability to deploy Dagger Technology to enhance the persistence and activity of next-generation AlloCAR T products; Dagger Technology potential benefits of ; and potential benefits of AlloCAR T. Various factors could cause Allogene’s expectations and actual results to differ, as discussed in more detail in Allogene’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its Form 8- K and “Risk Factors” on its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. Any forward-looking statements made in this release speak only as of the date hereof. Allogene disclaims any There is an obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of the press release.
AlloCAR T™ and Dagger™ are trademarks of Allogene Therapeutics, Inc.
Allogene’s AlloCAR T ™ project utilizes Cellectis technology. The anti-CD70 AlloCAR T programs are exclusively licensed from Cellectis by Allogene, which holds worldwide development and commercial rights to these AlloCAR T programs.
Allogene Media/Investor Contact:
Christine Cassiano
Chief Communications Officer
(714) 552-0326
Christine.Cassiano@allogene.com
