Quell Therapeutics Demonstrates Safety, Phenotypic Stability, Durability and Early Efficacy with Phenotype‑Locked™ CAR‑Tregs in LIBERATE Phase 1/2 Liver Transplant Study

Core Insights - Quell Therapeutics has shared interim top-line data from its LIBERATE Phase 1/2 trial, indicating promising results for its QEL-001 CAR-Treg therapy in liver transplant patients [1][3][10] - The company is initiating the QEL-005 CHILL clinical trial to explore a new CAR-Treg therapy targeting complex autoimmune diseases, building on insights from the LIBERATE trial [1][8] LIBERATE Trial Findings - The LIBERATE trial focuses on QEL-001, an anti-HLA-A2 CAR-Treg therapy, aimed at reducing immunosuppression in liver transplant patients [2][10] - Interim data shows QEL-001 is well tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported among the 9 patients dosed [6][7] - All patients in the study who were weaned off tacrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor, maintained stability for at least 6 months without evidence of rejection [7] - QEL-001 demonstrated durable engraftment in the liver, remaining detectable for over a year post-dose, and showed a stable, suppressive Treg phenotype [7][10] Future Clinical Strategy - Based on the LIBERATE findings, Quell plans to prioritize the QEL-005 CHILL trial, which targets refractory rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis [8][13] - Early clinical data from the CHILL trial is expected in Q1 2027, indicating a focus on expanding the company's therapeutic pipeline [8][13] Company Overview - Quell Therapeutics is a leader in engineered T-regulatory cell therapies, utilizing its proprietary Foxp3 Phenotype Lock technology to develop treatments for immune-driven medical conditions [11][12] - The company is advancing multiple programs, including partnerships with AstraZeneca for Type 1 Diabetes and Inflammatory Bowel Disease [13]