Syncona's Autolus begins three T-cell cancer trials

One of Syncona's portfolio investments has begun three clinical trials to test the ability of its engineered T-cell therapies in combatting cancer.

Autolus, which is one of seven individual life science companies in FTSE 250-listed Syncona's portfolio, has completed the first dose cohort of in its AUTO2 programme for multiple myeloma, with a Phase I/II study of its dual-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

The second most commonly diagnosed blood cancer after non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma is a blood cancer affecting plasma cells which can currently be treated but not cured.

AUTO2 is the first dual-targeting CAR-T cell therapy in clinical development for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

By targeting certain areas of the same cancer cell, more patients may be eligible for CAR-T treatment and less patients may be at risk of cancer relapse due to loss of B-cell maturation antigen expression on their cancer.

Autolus has also begun its AUTO3 programme with two Phase I/II studies, one in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and another in adult diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

AUTO3 is the first dual targeting CAR T-cell therapy to enter clinical studies targeting CD19 and CD22 with independently-acting CARs.

Syncona, founded by the Wellcome Trust, reversed into fully listed BACIT last November and works closely with major shareholder Cancer Research UK as part of its aim to become a leading life science investment company.