MiNK Therapeutics Announces Collaboration with C-Further to Advance PRAME-Targeted iNKT Cell Therapy for Pediatric Cancers

Core Insights - MiNK Therapeutics has announced a strategic collaboration with C-Further to develop a PRAME-targeted TCR-engineered iNKT cell therapy for pediatric cancers, receiving approximately $1.1 million in non-dilutive funding to support IND-enabling development [1][7][12] Collaboration Overview - The collaboration is one of the first programs selected by C-Further, aiming to accelerate innovative immunotherapies for children with limited treatment options [2] - MiNK Therapeutics will serve as the lead industry partner, contributing its iNKT platform and expertise in translational development [10] Technology and Development - The PRAME-targeted iNKT cell therapy targets the PRAME antigen, which is highly expressed in various pediatric and adult malignancies, particularly in cancers like sarcomas and acute myeloid leukemia [3][4] - MiNK's iNKT platform is designed to overcome limitations of traditional cell therapies, offering an allogeneic, off-the-shelf solution that can be manufactured in advance and delivered without HLA matching [5] Financial and Strategic Terms - The agreement includes a meaningful double-digit share of downstream commercial revenues, reflecting the proprietary nature of MiNK's iNKT platform [8] - The collaboration is structured to allow MiNK to continue advancing its iNKT platform independently while pursuing other tumor antigen targets [9] Research and Evaluation - Investigators at the University of Southampton will conduct independent preclinical studies to evaluate the therapy's anti-tumor activity, persistence, and safety [10][11] - The collaboration aims to rigorously select the most suitable candidate for clinical trials, ensuring a focus on safety and efficacy for pediatric patients [11]