Nkarta Announces Initiation of Investigator-Sponsored Clinical Trial Evaluating NKX019 for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Core Insights - Nkarta, Inc. has announced the initiation of an investigator-sponsored trial (IST) for NKX019, a CAR NK-cell therapy targeting CD19, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) [1][2] - The IST aims to expand the clinical evaluation of NKX019, following the initiation of the Phase 1 clinical trial Ntrust-1 for lupus nephritis [1][2] Company Overview - Nkarta is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing allogeneic, off-the-shelf NK cell therapies [5] - The company utilizes a combination of cell expansion, cryopreservation, and proprietary cell engineering technologies to create a pipeline of NK cell therapies [5] Clinical Trial Details - The Phase 1 IST is being conducted at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and will enroll up to 6 patients with SLE [2] - The trial will assess safety and clinical outcomes, including translational and biomarker studies [2] - Patients will receive NKX019 on Days 0, 7, and 14 after lymphodepletion with cyclophosphamide [2] NKX019 Characteristics - NKX019 is an allogeneic, cryopreserved immunotherapy candidate engineered with a humanized CD19-directed CAR and a membrane-bound form of interleukin-15 (IL-15) [4] - The therapy aims to provide enhanced cell targeting and greater persistence without the need for exogenous cytokine support [4]