Purple Biotech Announces Research Collaboration with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai for CAPTN-3 Tri-Specific Antibody Platform

Core Insights - Purple Biotech Ltd. has entered into a Research Collaboration Agreement with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to explore the immunoregulation of NK and T cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) using its CAPTN-3 multi-specific engagers, aiming to enhance tumor-specific immunity against various cancer types [1][6]. Company Overview - Purple Biotech is a clinical-stage company focused on developing first-in-class therapies that address tumor immune evasion and drug resistance, with a pipeline that includes CM24, NT219, and CAPTN-3 [5]. - CM24 is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting CEACAM1, which plays a role in tumor immune evasion, and has shown efficacy in a Phase 2 study for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma [5]. - NT219 is a dual inhibitor targeting IRS1/2 and STAT3, demonstrating anti-tumor activity in combination with cetuximab in recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck [5]. Research Collaboration - The collaboration with the Icahn School of Medicine aims to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms of action for CAPTN-3 in preparation for human clinical studies [2]. - Dr. Amir Horowitz, the Principal Investigator, is an expert in immunoregulation and has identified the HLA-E/NKG2A axis as a significant inhibitory checkpoint pathway in solid tumors [2][3]. - The study will focus on how CAPTN-3 antibodies alter T and NK cell activation within the TME, particularly regarding HLA-E/NKG2A interactions [3]. CAPTN-3 Mechanism - CAPTN-3 is designed to promote innate-like antitumor functions by NK and CD8 T cells through conditional activation of the anti-CD3 arm at the TME and blockade of NKG2A [6][7]. - The technology aims to unleash both innate and adaptive immune systems to mount an optimal anti-tumoral immune response, potentially improving responses in resistant cancer patients [7].