CellOrigin Unveils Two Novel Solid-Tumor Cell Therapy Platforms at ASCO 2026 and Partners with Walvax for In Vivo CAR-T Clinical Trial
Key Insights
CellOrigin (search) presented two preclinical solid-tumor cell therapy candidates at ASCO 2026: CAR-Mix™, a multicellular synergistic therapy combining engineered macrophages with polyclonal T cells, and TMT Engager™, an LNP-mRNA-based in vivo T-cell engager.
CAR-Mix™ demonstrated synergistic antitumor activity in a mesothelin-positive ovarian cancer (search) model, with an IIT launched and the first patient dosed in early 2026 showing a well-tolerated safety profile and promising clinical activity.
TMT Engager™ enables in situ formation of T-cell–macrophage–tumor cell tripartite conjugates, engaging both innate and adaptive immunity, with robust efficacy in preclinical liver and ovarian cancer (search) models.
CellOrigin (search), a biotechnology company focused on next-generation in vivo and in vitro cell therapy technologies, has announced two significant advances: the presentation of two novel solid-tumor cell therapy candidates at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting and a strategic co-development partnership with Walvax Biotechnology (search) for an in vivo CAR therapy clinical trial.
CAR-Mix™: Multicellular Synergistic Therapy Enters the Clinic
The first study presented at ASCO 2026 features CAR-Mix™, a multicellular synergistic therapy that combines engineered macrophages with polyclonal T cells. This approach has demonstrated synergistic antitumor activity in a mesothelin-positive ovarian cancer (search) preclinical model, offering what CellOrigin (search) describes as a potential polytypic immune cell strategy to overcome antigen heterogeneity — one of the most persistent challenges in solid tumor immunotherapy.
An Investigator-Initiated Trial (IIT) based on this product has been launched, with the first patient dosed in early 2026. According to the company, initial findings indicate a generally well-tolerated safety profile and promising signs of clinical activity, though detailed data have not yet been disclosed.
TMT Engager™: In Vivo Tripartite Immune Conjugate Formation
The second ASCO presentation highlighted TMT Engager™, an LNP-mRNA-based in vivo T-cell engager designed to enable in situ formation of T-cell–macrophage–tumor cell tripartite conjugates. This strategy is engineered to engage both innate and adaptive immunity against diverse tumor antigens, directly addressing the limitation of current solid-tumor therapies where tumor heterogeneity often leads to treatment resistance.
In preclinical models, TMT Engager™ demonstrated robust antitumor efficacy in both liver cancer (search) and ovarian cancer (search). The approach represents a departure from conventional ex vivo engineered cell therapies by leveraging mRNA-LNP delivery to generate therapeutic immune engagement directly within the patient.
Walvax Partnership Accelerates GPC3 (search)-CAR Clinical Translation
In parallel with the ASCO presentations, CellOrigin (search) has entered into a co-development agreement with Walvax Biotechnology (search) to jointly conduct an IIT for hepatocellular carcinoma (search) using mRNA-LNP-based in vivo GPC3 (search)-CAR therapy. This program builds on preclinical data reported by the same scientific team at the 2025 ASCO meeting.
The partnership is structured to combine CellOrigin (search)'s expertise in precision CAR design, early pharmacodynamic evaluation, clinical protocol development, and full-cycle IIT execution with Walvax's industrial capabilities in process quality systems, clinical-grade large-scale manufacturing, and product registration. By integrating these complementary strengths, the two companies aim to accelerate the clinical translation of novel therapies for solid tumors.
Platform Capabilities and Pipeline
Through sustained R&D investment, CellOrigin (search) has built a comprehensive in vivo CAR technology platform targeting solid tumors, autoimmune diseases, and organ fibrosis. The company's core capabilities span three areas: mRNA-LNP delivery technology enabling controlled organ and cell type-specific in vivo CAR expression; differentiated CAR molecule design addressing precise lesion targeting, physical tumor barrier penetration, and promotion of polyclonal and memory T-cell formation; and full-chain translational capability covering product design, preclinical evaluation, clinical trial implementation, and regulatory filing.
CellOrigin (search)'s proprietary platform portfolio now includes iMAC™, CAR-Vac™, CAR-Mix™, and TMT Engager™, positioning the company as an emerging leader in the in vivo CAR therapy space for solid tumors. The company states it remains committed to scientific innovation and open collaboration, working with industry partners to advance frontier immunotherapies into the clinic.