Moderna will be collaborating with CARsgen Therapeutics on an investigational Claudin18.2 mRNA cancer vaccine.
The collab focuses on Shanghai-based CARsgen's potential first-in-class drug, CT041. The autologous CAR T-cell product targets the Claudin 18.2 protein and is being investigated for the potential treatment of gastric, pancreatic and other specified digestive system cancers. The partners plan to combine CT041 with Moderna's off-the-shelf mRNA cancer vaccine, which also targets the Claudin18.2 protein.
The companies are considering the possibility of conducting preclinical studies and a phase I clinical trial to evaluate the combination.
Claudin18.2 is a promising therapeutic target to potentially treat multiple cancer types with high unmet medical need.
Back in 2021, CARsgen announced plans to pump $157 million into its first manufacturing hub in North America. The company already had a clinical development site in Houston and said the new plants will help the company expand its global CGMP manufacturing capacity while targeting patients in the U.S, and supporting ongoing U.S. clinical trials for two therapies.
