Senti Bio Announces First Patient Dosed in Clinical Trial of SN301A in Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Collaboration with Celest Therapeutics

Core Viewpoint - Senti Biosciences, Inc. has initiated a pilot clinical trial for SN301A, a CAR-NK cell therapy targeting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in collaboration with Celest Therapeutics in China, marking a significant step in their strategic partnership and addressing a major health threat in the region [1][3][4]. Group 1: Clinical Trial Details - The trial aims to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary anti-tumor activity of SN301A in patients with advanced GPC3-expressing HCC across multiple dose cohorts [2][4]. - The study will assess safety through adverse events and dose-limiting toxicities, alongside efficacy analyses using standard response criteria for liver cancer [2]. - SN301A will be administered in three dose levels during a 28-day treatment cycle, with patients potentially receiving multiple cycles based on their safety and efficacy results [4]. Group 2: Product and Technology Overview - SN301A is derived from the SENTI-301A Gene Circuit, designed to target the GPC3 antigen, which is expressed in 70% to 90% of HCC cases, while having low or no expression in normal adult tissues [5]. - The therapy incorporates calibrated release interleukin-15 (crIL-15) to stimulate immune cells and promote CAR-NK cell expansion and tumor killing [5]. - Preclinical data has shown robust in vitro and in vivo efficacy of SENTI-301A against relevant tumor cells [5]. Group 3: Market Context and Strategic Importance - Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in Asia, with over 40% of global HCC cases reported in China, highlighting the significant unmet medical need that SN301A aims to address [3][4]. - Senti Bio retains all development and commercialization rights for SENTI-301A outside of mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, indicating a strategic focus on the Chinese market [3].