Senti Bio Awarded California Institute for Regenerative Medicines (CIRM) Grant for Clinical Development of Logic Gated CAR-NK Cell Therapy

Core Insights - Senti Bio has received an $8 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to support the clinical development of SENTI-202, a potential first-in-class CAR-NK cell therapy for treating relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) [6][2][3] - The Phase 1 clinical trial of SENTI-202 is currently enrolling patients, with initial efficacy data expected by the end of 2024 and durability data anticipated in 2025 [6][11] Company Overview - Senti Bio is a biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation cell and gene therapies using its proprietary Gene Circuit platform, which aims to enhance precision and control in targeting cancer cells while sparing healthy cells [8][2] - The company utilizes off-the-shelf CAR-NK cells outfitted with Gene Circuits to target challenging liquid and solid tumor indications, demonstrating potential in various modalities and diseases beyond oncology [8][12] Industry Context - Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults, with an estimated 20,800 new cases expected in the United States in 2024 and a five-year survival rate of approximately 30% [3][2] - Current treatment options for AML include chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and stem cell transplants, but there are limited options for patients with relapsed or refractory AML, with median overall survival typically less than seven months [3][2]