Gracell abandons 3 CAR-T projects, hoping to speed up the development of more advanced projects

　　Gracell Biotechnologies is cutting back on its CAR-T pipeline and abandoning multiple projects to speed up the completion of its most advanced programs.

　　CEO Dr. William Cao said on an Aug. 14 earnings call that the China-based biotech is maintaining its position as a "frontrunner" and "slowing down some early-stage programs." Gracell currently has three candidate compounds in the clinic, up from six in the first quarter.

　　GC019F, a CD19 program targeting advanced B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, has been axed. CAR-T is being evaluated in phase 1 clinical trials. The second program remaining is GC027, an allogeneic CAR-T designed to treat relapsed or refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Finally, Gracell abandoned GC503, a mesothelin program designed to treat solid tumors.

　　The company hopes to focus on dual-targeted therapy GC012F, which is derived from the company's FasTCAR-T autologous platform and enables next-day manufacturing. Last year, at the 2022 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology, Gracell disclosed data on BCMA/CD19 dual-targeted CAR-T therapy, showing that in a phase I trial conducted in China, the tumor response rate of multiple myeloma patients reached 100% .

　　The therapy is being studied in multiple indications, the most advanced of which is a Phase 1b/2 trial in the United States in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

　　Chief Financial Officer Dr. Kevin Xie said on the earnings call that Gracell expects its existing cash to last until the second half of 2026 after completing a $150 million private placement earlier this month.

References:

1. Gracell drops 3 CAR-T programs in hopes of speeding more advanced assets to the finish line. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/gracell-lightens-its-load-dropping-3-car-t-programs-hopes-speeding-more-advanced-assets