Marker Therapeutics Awarded $9.5 Million Grant from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to Support the Investigation of MT-601 in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer
Marker Therapeutics (MRKR) has been awarded a $9.5 million grant from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to support clinical investigation of MT-601 in metastatic pancreatic cancer patients. The grant will fund the Phase 1 PANACEA study evaluating safety and tolerability of their multi-tumor associated antigen T cell product.
MT-601 is currently being studied in CD19-CAR relapsed lymphoma patients, with preliminary data showing sustained objective responses in three participants. The therapy targets six tumor-specific antigens and shows promise beyond lymphoma. Previous studies at Baylor College of Medicine using similar technology showed favorable results in pancreatic cancer patients, with 1 complete response, 3 partial responses, and 6 stable disease cases out of 13 patients.
Including this grant, MRKR has secured over $30 million in non-dilutive funding, including an additional $2 million NIH SBIR grant for pancreatic cancer research. The company plans to initiate the pancreatic cancer clinical program in 2025.
Marker Therapeutics (MRKR) ha ricevuto un contributo di 9,5 milioni di dollari dal Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) per supportare l'indagine clinica su MT-601 nei pazienti affetti da cancro pancreatico metastatico. Il finanziamento servirà a sostenere lo studio PANACEA di Fase 1 che valuta la sicurezza e la tollerabilità del loro prodotto di cellule T associate a più tumori.
MT-601 è attualmente in fase di studio su pazienti affetti da linfoma recidivante CD19-CAR, con dati preliminari che mostrano risposte obiettive sostenute in tre partecipanti. La terapia mira a sei antigeni tumorali specifici e mostra promesse anche oltre il linfoma. Studi precedenti presso il Baylor College of Medicine che utilizzano tecnologie simili hanno mostrato risultati favorevoli nei pazienti con cancro pancreatico, con 1 risposta completa, 3 risposte parziali e 6 casi di malattia stabile su 13 pazienti.
Con questo contributo, MRKR ha assicurato oltre 30 milioni di dollari in finanziamenti non diluitivi, incluso un ulteriore contributo di 2 milioni di dollari della NIH SBIR per la ricerca sul cancro pancreatico. L'azienda prevede di avviare il programma clinico per il cancro pancreatico nel 2025.
Marker Therapeutics (MRKR) ha sido premiado con una por el Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) para apoyar la investigación clínica de MT-601 en pacientes con cáncer pancreático metastásico. La subvención financiará el estudio PANACEA de Fase 1 que evalúa la seguridad y tolerabilidad de su producto de células T asociadas a múltiples tumores.
MT-601 se está estudiando actualmente en pacientes con linfoma recidivante CD19-CAR, con datos preliminares que muestran respuestas objetivas sostenidas en tres participantes. La terapia tiene como objetivo seis antígenos tumorales específicos y muestra promesas más allá del linfoma. Estudios previos en el Baylor College of Medicine utilizando tecnología similar mostraron resultados favorables en pacientes con cáncer pancreático, con 1 respuesta completa, 3 respuestas parciales y 6 casos de enfermedad estable entre 13 pacientes.
Incluyendo esta subvención, MRKR ha asegurado más de 30 millones de dólares en financiación no dilutiva, incluyendo una subvención adicional de 2 millones de dólares de NIH SBIR para la investigación del cáncer pancreático. La empresa planea iniciar el programa clínico para el cáncer pancreático en 2025.
Marker Therapeutics (MRKR)는 텍사스 암 예방 및 연구 기관(CPRIT)으로부터 950만 달러의 보조금을 받아 전이성 췌장암 환자를 대상으로 MT-601에 대한 임상 연구를 지원합니다. 이 보조금은 다중 종양 관련 항원 T 세포 제품의 안전성과 내약성을 평가하는 1상 PANACEA 연구를 자금 지원할 것입니다.
MT-601은 현재 CD19-CAR 재발성 림프종 환자에서 연구되고 있으며, 예비 데이터는 세 명의 참가자에서 지속적인 객관적 반응을 보여주고 있습니다. 이 요법은 여섯 개의 종양 특이적 항원을 표적으로 하며 림프종을 넘어서는 가능성을 보입니다. 유사한 기술을 사용한 Baylor 의과대학의 이전 연구는 췌장암 환자에서 유리한 결과를 보여주었으며, 13명의 환자 중 1명의 완전 반응, 3명의 부분 반응, 6명의 안정성 사례를 기록했습니다.
이번 보조금을 포함하여 MRKR는 비희석 자금으로 3천만 달러 이상을 확보했으며, 췌장암 연구를 위한 추가적인 200만 달러 NIH SBIR 보조금도 포함되어 있습니다. 이 회사는 2025년에 췌장암 임상 프로그램을 시작할 계획입니다.
Marker Therapeutics (MRKR) a reçu une subvention de 9,5 millions de dollars de l'Institut de recherche et de prévention du cancer du Texas (CPRIT) pour soutenir l'enquête clinique sur MT-601 chez des patients atteints de cancer du pancréas métastatique. Cette subvention financera l'étude de Phase 1 PANACEA qui évalue la sécurité et la tolérabilité de leur produit de cellules T associé à plusieurs tumeurs.
MT-601 est actuellement étudié chez des patients atteints de lymphome CD19-CAR en rechute, avec des données préliminaires montrant des réponses objectives soutenues chez trois participants. La thérapie cible six antigènes spécifiques aux tumeurs et montre des promesses au-delà du lymphome. Des études antérieures au Baylor College of Medicine utilisant une technologie similaire ont montré des résultats favorables chez des patients atteints de cancer du pancréas, avec 1 réponse complète, 3 réponses partielles et 6 cas de maladie stable parmi 13 patients.
En incluant cette subvention, MRKR a sécurisé plus de 30 millions de dollars de financement non dilutif, y compris une subvention supplémentaire de 2 millions de dollars du NIH SBIR pour la recherche sur le cancer du pancréas. L'entreprise prévoit de lancer le programme clinique sur le cancer du pancréas en 2025.
Marker Therapeutics (MRKR) hat eine 9,5 Millionen Dollar umfassende Förderung vom Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) erhalten, um klinische Untersuchungen zu MT-601 bei Patienten mit metastasiertem Bauchspeicheldrüsenkrebs zu unterstützen. Die Förderung wird die Phase-1-Studie PANACEA finanzieren, die die Sicherheit und Verträglichkeit ihres mit mehreren Tumoren assoziierten Antigen-T-Zellprodukts evaluiert.
MT-601 wird derzeit bei CD19-CAR rückfälligen Lymphom-Patienten untersucht, wobei erste Daten bei drei Teilnehmern nachhaltige objektive Antworten zeigen. Die Therapie richtet sich gegen sechs tumorspezifische Antigene und zeigt auch über das Lymphom hinaus vielversprechende Ergebnisse. Frühere Studien am Baylor College of Medicine mit ähnlicher Technologie zeigten positive Ergebnisse bei Patienten mit Bauchspeicheldrüsenkrebs, darunter 1 komplette Antwort, 3 partielle Antworten und 6 stabile Krankheitsfälle von insgesamt 13 Patienten.
Mit dieser Förderung hat MRKR über 30 Millionen Dollar an nicht verwässernden Mitteln gesichert, einschließlich eines zusätzlichen 2 Millionen Dollar NIH SBIR-Stipendiums für die Forschung zu Bauchspeicheldrüsenkrebs. Das Unternehmen plant, 2025 das klinische Programm für Bauchspeicheldrüsenkrebs zu starten.
- Secured $9.5M CPRIT grant for pancreatic cancer research
- Additional $2M NIH SBIR grant received
- Preliminary MT-601 data shows sustained objective responses in lymphoma patients
- Previous similar technology showed positive results: 4/13 patients with measurable tumor responses
- Total non-dilutive funding exceeds $30M
- Clinical program for pancreatic cancer won't start until 2025
- data available from current MT-601 trials (only three patients reported)
Insights
The
This non-dilutive funding significantly strengthens Marker's financial position. The combined grants of
HOUSTON, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marker Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRKR), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company focusing on developing next-generation T cell-based immunotherapies for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumor indications, today announced that the Company has been awarded a
The CPRIT grant is intended to support the Company’s Phase 1 PANACEA study (clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT06549751) evaluating the safety and tolerability of MT-601, a multi-tumor associated antigen (multiTAA)-specific T cell product, in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.
The Company’s lead asset, MT-601, is currently being studied in patients with CD19-CAR relapsed lymphoma as the primary indication (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05798897). Marker previously reported that one of the Principal Investigators presented preliminary safety and efficacy with sustained objective responses observed in three study participants treated at City of Hope National Medical Center (Press Release, April 8, 2024). MT-601 recognizes multiple targets within six tumor-specific antigens that are highly expressed among different cancer indications. Due to the broad target recognition profile of MT-601, the Company plans to investigate its potential application beyond lymphoma in patients with solid tumors.
The use of MT-601 in solid tumors is supported by preliminary efficacy data of a previous study conducted at Baylor College of Medicine investigating multiTAA-specific T cells in patients with pancreatic cancer who received treatment in conjunction with frontline chemotherapy (Phase 1 Trial in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (TACTOPS), June 1, 2020; clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03192462). In this study, the multiTAA-specific T cell product targeted five of the six tumor-antigens used in MT-601. In the 13 patients treated, administration of multiTAA-specific T cells was associated with a favorable safety profile and durable cancer control, including 1 complete response, 3 partial responses and 6 patients with stable disease. Notably, measurable tumor responses were observed in 4 patients, and 9 patients exceeded the median overall survival of historical controls of patients receiving chemotherapy alone.
“We are pleased to receive
Including this CPRIT grant, the Company has been awarded over
Dr. Vera added: “Being awarded with a total of
About the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)
Created by the Texas Legislature and approved by a statewide vote in 2007, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) leads the Lone Star State’s fight against cancer. In 2019, Texas voters again voted overwhelmingly to support CPRIT with an additional
About MT-601
The Company’s lead product, MT-601, is a multi-tumor associated antigen (multiTAA)-specific T cell product that utilizes a non-genetically modified approach that specifically targets six different tumor antigens upregulated in cancer cells (Survivin, PRAME, WT-1, NY-ESO-1, SSX-2, MAGE-A4). Marker is currently investigating MT-601 in the Company-sponsored Phase 1 APOLLO trial (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05798897) for the treatment of patients with lymphoma who have relapsed after or where CD19 CAR-T cell therapy is not an option. The broad target recognition profile of MT-601 allows its potential application in indications other than lymphoma, including solid tumors such as pancreatic cancer.
About multiTAA-specific T cells
The multi-tumor associated antigen (multiTAA)-specific T cell platform is a novel, non-genetically modified cell therapy approach that selectively expands tumor-specific T cells from a patient's/donor’s blood capable of recognizing a broad range of tumor antigens. Unlike other T cell therapies, multiTAA-specific T cells allow the recognition of hundreds of different epitopes within up to six tumor-specific antigens, thereby reducing the possibility of tumor escape. Since multiTAA-specific T cells are not genetically engineered, Marker believes that its product candidates will be easier and less expensive to manufacture, with an improved safety profile, compared to current engineered T cell approaches, and may provide patients with meaningful clinical benefits.
About Marker Therapeutics, Inc.
Marker Therapeutics, Inc. is a Houston, TX-based clinical-stage immuno-oncology company specializing in the development of next-generation T cell-based immunotherapies for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Clinical trials that enrolled more than 200 patients across various hematological and solid tumor indications showed that the Company’s autologous and allogeneic multiTAA-specific T cell products were well tolerated and demonstrated durable clinical responses. Marker’s goal is to introduce novel T cell therapies to the market and improve patient outcomes. To achieve these objectives, the Company prioritizes the preservation of financial resources and focuses on operational excellence. Marker’s unique T cell platform is strengthened by non-dilutive funding from U.S. state and federal agencies supporting cancer research.
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Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this news release concerning the Company’s expectations, plans, business outlook or future performance, and any other statements concerning assumptions made or expectations as to any future events, conditions, performance or other matters, are “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things: our research, development and regulatory activities and expectations relating to our non-engineered multi-tumor antigen specific T cell therapies; the effectiveness of these programs or the possible range of application and potential curative effects and safety in the treatment of diseases; the timing, conduct and success of our clinical trials of our product candidates, including MT-601 for the treatment of patients with lymphoma or with pancreatic cancer. Forward-looking statements are by their nature subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in such statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to the risks set forth in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K, 10-Q and other SEC filings which are available through EDGAR at WWW.SEC.GOV. The Company assumes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release except as may be required by law.
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FAQ
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