Kelonia Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on revolutionizing in vivo gene delivery, has announced plans to present new preclinical data for its innovative in vivo Gene Placement System (iGPS®) at the upcoming American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) 28th Annual Meeting. The conference will take place from May 13-17, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The poster presentation, titled "Toward Treatment with Gene-Modified B Cells Engineered In Vivo Using iGPS Particles," will be delivered by Russell McConnell, Ph.D., Director of Discovery Research at Kelonia. The session is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. CDT, and falls under the category of Cell Therapy: H2 – In-Vivo Editing of HSPCs and Immune Cells.
Innovative Technology Platform
Kelonia's iGPS® technology represents a significant advancement in the field of genetic medicine delivery. The platform utilizes sophisticated lentiviral vector particles with specialized envelope modifications designed to enhance in vivo gene transfer efficiency. Additionally, the system incorporates tropism molecules that facilitate tissue-specific delivery, potentially addressing one of the most significant challenges in gene therapy – targeted delivery to specific cell types.
"Our iGPS technology has the potential to transform how we approach genetic medicine delivery," said a representative from Kelonia Therapeutics. "By enabling more efficient and targeted in vivo gene transfer, we aim to overcome many of the current limitations in the field."
Focus on Hematologic Cancers
Kelonia is initially concentrating its efforts on developing transformational in vivo CAR-T therapies for hematologic cancers. This approach could potentially circumvent many of the challenges associated with current ex vivo CAR-T manufacturing processes, which are complex, time-consuming, and expensive.
The company's focus on B cell engineering, as highlighted in the upcoming presentation, suggests a strategic approach to developing therapies that could potentially be administered directly to patients without the need for cell harvesting, laboratory manipulation, and reinfusion – the current standard for CAR-T therapy.
Broader Applications and Future Directions
While initially focused on hematologic malignancies, Kelonia is building a pipeline of genetic medicines for a range of diseases. The company's stated goal is to make genetic medicines accessible to every patient in need, when and where they need them – suggesting a vision for more democratized access to these advanced therapies.
The iGPS® platform's ability to potentially modify cells in vivo could significantly reduce manufacturing complexity and costs associated with current genetic medicine approaches. This could be particularly impactful for patients in regions with limited access to specialized healthcare facilities required for current cell therapy administration.
Technical Advantages
The technical advantages of Kelonia's approach include:
- Direct in vivo modification of target cells, potentially eliminating the need for ex vivo cell manipulation
- Enhanced gene transfer efficiency through specialized envelope modifications
- Improved targeting specificity via tropism molecules
- Potential for reduced immunogenicity compared to some viral vector approaches
- Scalable manufacturing potential that could reduce costs and improve accessibility
The upcoming presentation at ASGCT will likely provide more detailed data on the efficiency, specificity, and safety profile of the iGPS® platform, particularly as it relates to B cell engineering.
Industry Context
Kelonia's approach enters a competitive landscape of companies working to improve gene therapy delivery. However, the focus on in vivo cell engineering, particularly for CAR-T applications, represents a distinctive approach that could potentially address several key limitations in current genetic medicine delivery.
The ASGCT Annual Meeting, as one of the premier conferences in the field of gene and cell therapy, provides an important platform for Kelonia to showcase its technology to key opinion leaders, potential partners, and investors in the space.
As the field of genetic medicine continues to evolve rapidly, innovations in delivery technology like Kelonia's iGPS® system may play a crucial role in expanding the reach and impact of these transformative therapies.
