Factor Bioscience Advances IL-12-Engineered iMacrophage Therapy for Solid Tumors with Promising Ovarian Cancer Data
Key Insights
Factor Bioscience (search) will present preclinical data on FACT-112 (search), its IL-12 (search)-expressing iPSC-derived macrophage therapy, demonstrating anti-tumor activity in ovarian cancer (search) models at ISCT 2026.
The engineered iMacrophages showed capacity to repolarize the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and elicit immune-mediated tumor rejection in vivo studies.
Factor will deliver seven presentations at ASGCT 2026, showcasing advances in next-generation CAR-T therapies, RNA-based cell reprogramming, and novel iPSC-derived mesenchymal stem cell programs.
Factor Bioscience (search) is preparing to showcase significant advances in its engineered cell therapy programs, with particular focus on FACT-112 (search), an IL-12 (search)-expressing iPSC-derived macrophage therapy that has demonstrated striking anti-tumor activity in preclinical ovarian cancer (search) models. The Cambridge-based biotechnology company will present these findings at two major scientific conferences in May 2026.
FACT-112 Shows Promise Against Ovarian Cancer
The company's FACT-112 (search) program represents a novel approach to solid tumor treatment using engineered iMacrophages that express interleukin-12 (IL-12 (search)). According to Ian Hay, Factor's Associate Director of Cell Engineering, the preclinical data illustrate "the intrinsic capacity of IL12-expressing iMacrophages to repolarize the immunosuppressive ovarian tumor microenvironment and elicit immune-mediated tumor rejection."
Dr. Matt Angel, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Factor, described the in vivo anti-tumor activity as "a major milestone for the company, underscoring our commitment to translating cutting-edge science into clinically meaningful therapies." The engineered iMacrophages have been optimized for transplant readiness and can be cryopreserved under xeno-free conditions while maintaining viability post-thaw.
Comprehensive Pipeline Advances
Beyond FACT-112 (search), Factor will present data from six additional programs at the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) 29th Annual Meeting. These presentations span next-generation CAR-T cell therapies, RNA-based cell reprogramming technologies, and novel iPSC-derived therapeutic approaches.
The company's CAR-T innovations include an in vivo platform incorporating high-fidelity synthetic RNA that enables selective protein expression in CD8 (search)+ T cells. Additionally, Factor has developed TCR (search)-replaced CAR T cells with a mutant CD28 (search) co-stimulatory domain containing TRAF-binding motifs, which demonstrate enhanced memory phenotype and reduced exhaustion following tumor rechallenge assays.
Expanding Beyond Oncology
Factor's therapeutic scope extends into rare diseases and neurodegeneration through two novel iPSC-derived mesenchymal stem cell (iMSC) programs. The first involves hypoimmune iMSCs for muscular dystrophy (search), with preclinical data showing that engineered iPSC-derived mesenchymal stromal cells improve muscle function and pathology in the mdx mouse model.
The second program focuses on HTRA1 (search)-expressing iMSCs for neurodegenerative disorders (search). These engineered cells express serine protease HTRA1 and have demonstrated the ability to reduce Tau fibrils, potentially addressing a key pathological feature of various neurodegenerative conditions.
Platform Technology Innovations
The company has also made advances in its core RNA-based reprogramming technology, developing efficient methods for reprogramming human fibroblasts without strand slippage-inducing modified nucleotides. This technical advancement could improve the safety and efficacy profile of Factor's cell engineering approaches.
Dr. Kyle Garland, Vice President of Research & Development at Factor, noted that "over the past year, we have made significant progress developing next-generation therapeutics that have the potential to treat some of the most intractable diseases by overcoming the limitations of conventional therapies."
Conference Presentations
Factor will deliver its FACT-112 (search) oral presentation at the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) 2026 Annual Meeting in Dublin, Ireland, on May 6. The presentation, titled "iPSC-Derived Macrophages Engineered to Express IL-12 (search) Modulate the Tumor Microenvironment and Support T Cell Lysis of Ovarian Cancer (search) Models," will be delivered during the Immunotherapy Oral Presentation Session.
The seven presentations at ASGCT 2026 in Boston will cover the breadth of Factor's pipeline, reflecting what Dr. Angel described as "the strength and versatility of the platforms that we have developed at Factor over the past 15 years."
Founded in 2011, Factor Bioscience (search) has built its therapeutic programs around a patented gene-editing platform designed to develop life-saving cell and gene therapies. The company remains privately held and continues to advance multiple programs toward potential clinical development.