ALA gets option for cytokine tech to enhance iNKT platform
Yesterday our preclinical stage biotech Investment, Arovella Therapeutics (ASX:ALA), announced it had signed an exclusive option to license a cytokine technology.
Cytokines are small proteins important in cell signalling for the immune system and we see the use of this technology as a potential “booster” for ALA’s existing iNKT platform.
In other words, the cytokine tech can cause iNKT cells to persist for longer - so they don’t get cycled out of the body as quickly - boosting their effectiveness.
The Professor behind the cytokine technology, is Gianpietro Dotti University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center who is an eminent scholar in the field iNKT cells:
A quick search of Professor Dotti’s publications yields more than 193 works which he has either authored or contributed to - a rough measure of his significant influence in the field of cancer immunotherapy.
Importantly, Dotti also worked on a program studying the CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) - the very same receptor that ALA is working on in its upcoming slate of preclinical trials which will involve Imugene’s onCARlytics platform:
The exclusive option agreement, which was for an “immaterial” (small) cost lasts for 15 months and has two primary benefits:
- If initial data is good, it allows ALA to secure an enhancement to its technology
- Because it is exclusive, it gives ALA a potential leg up over other iNKT cell therapy companies
Since refocusing the business exclusively on cancer immunotherapy we’re pleased with this announcement as it advances Key Objective #3 from our ALA Investment Memo:
What’s next for ALA? As outlined in the milestones above, Q1 will see ALA conduct a test tube study using the ALA+Imugene therapy in solid cancer cells. We’re also particularly looking forward to the data from the in vivo tests which follow in Q2 which could be a big catalyst for ALA.
