Umoja Biopharma Advances In Situ CAR-T Therapy with FDA Clearance and $100M Series C Funding
FDA Clearance:
Umoja Biopharma's UB-VV111, an in situ CAR-T therapy, has received FDA clearance for a Phase 1 trial in hematologic malignancies, specifically targeting relapsed/refractory large-B-cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia135.
Clinical Trial:
The Phase 1 study, named Invicta-1, will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and clinical antitumor activity of UB-VV111 in both CAR-T naïve and CAR-T treated patients135.
In Vivo Advantages:
In situ CAR-T therapy aims to overcome the limitations of ex vivo cellular immunotherapies by offering quicker and more convenient administration, potentially reducing the need for harsh lymphodepletion regimens and making it accessible to community hospitals and countries lacking ex vivo therapy infrastructure3.
Technology:
UB-VV111 uses a lentiviral vector and includes a rapamycin-activated cytokine receptor (RACR) to enhance the expansion of CAR-T cells in vivo3.
Partnership:
Umoja Biopharma has exclusive option and license agreements with AbbVie for the development of multiple in situ generated CAR-T cell therapy candidates, including UB-VV111135.
Funding:
Umoja Biopharma secured a $100M Series C funding to advance its in situ CAR-T therapies into the clinic4.
Sources:
1. https://www.cgtlive.com/view/umoja-biopharma-in-situ-car-t-therapy-cleared-trial-hematologic-malignancies
3. https://www.oncologypipeline.com/apexonco/umoja-and-abbvie-chase-interius-vivo-car-t
5. https://www.umoja-biopharma.com/news/umoja-biopharma-announces-fda-clearance-of-ind-application-for-ub-vv111-a-cd19-directed-in-situ-car-t-for-hematologic-malignancies/