CytoMed Therapeutics Advances Novel Approach To Transform CAR-T Cell Therapy Access

The biotech industry has long grappled with a fundamental challenge in cell therapies – astronomical costs and complex logistics of customizing treatments for each patient. The potential solution? A novel and versatile “off-the-shelf” allogeneic platform using healthy donor cells (instead of the patient’s own cells) that could potentially dramatically reduce both cost and production time while expanding treatment options for cancer patients.

CytoMed Therapeutics Limited GDTC, a small-cap biotech company from Singapore, is looking to change that narrative through its novel allogeneic platform. While current CAR-T treatments require extracting and modifying a patient’s own T cells before reinfusion – a personalized but time-intensive and costly process – CytoMed’s approach utilizes healthy donor cells to create “off-the-shelf” treatments that could serve multiple patients.

Photo credit – Courtesy of CytoMed Therapeutics

Innovative Versatile Technology Platform

The company’s patented technology centers on γδ T cells, a rare specialized immune cell subset with unique anti-cancer properties that do not require blood matching. These cells naturally recognize and respond to a broader range of tumor signals while better distinguishing between healthy and cancerous tissues, potentially offering improved safety profiles compared to conventional CAR-T therapies. 

Through their platform, they’ve also demonstrated versatility through integration with various therapeutic approaches, including:

– Chimeric antigen receptors

– Checkpoint inhibitors

– Bi-specific T cell engagers

– Antibody-drug conjugates

Clinical Progress and Manufacturing Excellence

A crucial advancement in this technology’s development is CytoMed’s ANGELICA first-in-human clinical trial in Singapore, supported by a grant from Singapore's National Medical Research Council. This trial is particularly significant as it targets both blood cancers and solid tumors – the latter being a historical challenge in CAR-T therapy due to complex tumor microenvironments and physical barriers.

The company’s operational strategy leverages a key advantage that sets it apart: a sophisticated English-speaking Southeast Asian infrastructure that combines excellence with efficiency. Their state-of-the-art cGMP facility in Johor, Malaysia, strategically located near Singapore’s biotech hub, operates under the same stringent PIC/S GMP Standards required by the FDA and EMA, while helping to achieve significantly lower manufacturing costs.

Photo credit – Courtesy of CytoMed Therapeutics

Strategic Global Expansion

CytoMed’s international collaboration, particularly in regions with large patient populations like India, provides opportunities to evaluate the therapy’s efficacy across diverse genetic and environmental factors. With their collaboration in India, one of the world’s largest healthcare markets, the company aims to leverage the country’s extensive healthcare infrastructure and large patient population to accelerate the development and accessibility of their allogeneic therapies.

Through the recent acquisition of a licensed cord blood bank, they now have access to abundant, rare, valuable cord blood raw materials that will help to support their research and development.

Expanding Therapeutic Applications

Beyond oncology, CytoMed’s research scientists are also exploring applications in non-cancer diseases such as:

– Autoimmune disorders

– Inflammatory conditions

– Regenerative medicine

The technology’s “off-the-shelf” nature could simplify delivery logistics, making cell therapy accessible to medical facilities beyond major treatment centers.

Leadership Vision

We’re not just another biotech company with promising technology,” remarked Chairman Peter Choo, “We’re building a sustainable and versatile business model that could make advanced cell therapies accessible to the masses. Our approach combines cutting-edge science with practical economics while maintaining quality and potentially prolonging life.”

Future Prospects

CytoMed’s ongoing research is examining the therapy’s potential across different cancer types and stages. The platform’s adaptability enables rapid modification to address various cancer antigens, potentially allowing more personalized treatment approaches while maintaining off-the-shelf benefits. As research progresses, this allogeneic approach represents a promising strategy to make cell therapy more accessible while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.

The advancement of CytoMed’s technology could mark a significant step toward making advanced cell therapies available to a broader patient population, potentially transforming the space of cancer treatment and beyond.

For more information, please visit www.cytomed.sg and follow CytoMed on Twitter (“X”) @CytomedSG, and on LinkedIn

This post was authored by an external contributor and does not represent Benzinga's opinions and has not been edited for content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice.