July 2022: On July 12, 2022, GenScript ProBio (Brian Ho-sung Min, CEO), a global CDMO, and ACT Therapeutics (Seogkyoung-Kong, CEO), developing a next-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy platform targeting solid cancer, announced that they had entered into a strategic partnership MOU concerning the development of a new CAR-T cell therapies. The MOU was in regard to the development of new CAR-T cell therapies. Through the use of this memorandum of understanding (MOU), GenScript ProBio and ACT Therapeutics have come to an agreement to further their collaboration in the field of cell therapy.
ACT Therapeutics and GenScript ProBio are in the process of signing a contract for the development and production of plasmid and virus vectors for the first pipeline of ACT Therapeutics’ Advanced CAR-T Platform (ACT platform), which will also be commissioned to produce raw materials for ACT Therapeutics’ subsequent pipelines. The contract will cover the production of plasmids and virus vectors for the first pipeline of ACT Therapeutics’ Advanced CAR-T Platform.
As a result of this agreement, GenScript ProBio has been elevated to the status of a global partner that is able to support ACT platforms for ACT therapeutics.
The ACT platform is a next-generation cell and gene therapy technology that targets cancer antigens by inserting genes designed to target those antigens into immune cells. These genes are delivered into immune cells through the use of virus vectors. GenScript ProBio possesses a high-quality virus vector process development and a one-stop service platform for GMP production, both of which are necessary for the development of cell and gene therapy.
ACT Therapeutics’ ACT platform is an advanced CAR-T technology that has a next-generation structure that goes beyond the second-generation CAR-T cell therapy and targets existing blood cancer. This is accomplished by overcoming the immune suppression microenvironment of solid cancer and activating the immune cells that are surrounding the cancer. Several studies have also used animals to test the ACT platform to see how well it works and if it is safe. These studies have also confirmed that the platform can be used to treat solid cancer while staying in the immunosuppressive environment of that cancer. Additionally, it complements the shortcomings of the existing second-generation CAR-T, which makes it a competitive technology for the treatment of solid cancer.
ACT Therapeutics is a Korean bio venture company that has received initial investment through DAYLI Partners, Korea’s leading bio and healthcare venture capital, since its establishment in 2020, and has been recognized for its technology such as receiving pre-series A investment in Samho Green Investment. DAYLI Partners is Korea’s leading bio and healthcare venture capital since its establishment in 2020. At the moment, investment consultations are being held with various securities firms and venture capital companies in order to entice Series A investment.
Brian H. Min, CEO of GenScript ProBio, said, “We are very happy to cooperate with ACT therapeutics in strategic partnership, and we are looking forward to support ACT Therapeutics’ ACT platform as a global partner through our accumulated technology.”
Seogkyoung-Kong, CEO of ACT Therapeutics, said, “We have completed preparations for the ACT platform to emerge globally through a strategic partnership with GenScript ProBio. We will accelerate the development of treatments targeting refractory and intractable solid cancers.”
About GenScript ProBio
GenScript ProBio is a subsidiary of GenScript Biotech Corporation, proactively providing end-to-end CDMO service from drug discovery to commercialization with proactive strategies, professional solutions and efficient processes in cell and gene therapy (CGT), vaccine discovery, biologics discovery and antibody protein drug development to accelerate drug development for customers. GenScript ProBio has established companies in the United States, the Netherlands, South Korea, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Nanjing and other places to serve global customers, and supported customers in the United States, Europe, Asia Pacific and other regions to obtain more than 30 IND approvals.
Toward the mission of “Innovation through Collaboration”, GenScript ProBio is committed to helping customers shorten the timeline for the development of biological drugs from discovery to commercialization, significantly lowering R&D costs and building a healthier future.
