EdiGene, Inc and Neukio Biotherapeutics have announced an R&D collaboration to develop next-generation immune cell therapies, Neukio Biotherapeutics informed via a statement.

The collaboration will leverage EdiGene’s expertise in high-throughput genome editing screening and Neukio’s strength in the development and manufacturing of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and natural killer cell (NK Cell), added the statement.

“Our proprietary, high-throughput genome-editing screening platform enables genome-wide exploration of key genes in the growth and differentiation of specific cells, promotes the establishment of causality between genetic variation and therapeutic development, and has unique advantages in mechanism exploration, target screening and translation,” said Dong Wei, PhD, CEO, EdiGene.

Wei further said, “By leveraging our expertise in the application and translation of gene-editing technologies, we are able to facilitate the development of innovative iPSC-NK immune cell therapies to bring more treatment options to patients.”

“The first autologous CAR-T cell therapy was launched in China in 2021, providing hope to cancer patients that they will be able to benefit from the next generation of cell therapies as soon as possible. Our collaboration with EdiGene will explore new therapeutic mechanisms and targets, so that our NK cells can be used for allogenic therapies to treat solid tumours, which is beneficial for our intellectual properties systems and for patients’ accessibility,” said Dr Richard Wang, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Neukio.

“This new screening method supplements known targets, laying a solid foundation for Neukio’s pipeline and sustainable development.”

Under the agreement, Neukio will develop cell therapies in certain undisclosed indications and pay EdiGene milestone payments for clinical development upon its clinical progress, and royalties after its commercialisation, the statement concluded.