Tempest Therapeutics Secures Exclusive Option to Senlang's CD7-Targeted Lentiviral In Vivo CAR-T Platform and BCMA/GPRC5D Candidate
核心洞察
Tempest Therapeutics has entered an exclusive option agreement with Hebei Senlang Biotechnology (搜索) to license a CD7 (搜索)-targeted lentiviral vector platform and in vivo CAR-T product candidates.
The lead asset is a BCMA (搜索)/GPRC5D (搜索) dual-targeting in vivo CAR-T candidate in Phase 1 dose escalation for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (搜索).
Early clinical observations at the highest evaluable dose show in vivo CAR-T generation and expansion, with no Grade 3 or higher cytokine release syndrome or ICANS as of August 25, 2026.
Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TPST) announced on Sept. 15, 2026, that it has entered into an exclusive option agreement with Hebei Senlang Biotechnology (搜索) Co., Ltd. to license Senlang's CD7 (搜索)-targeted lentiviral vector platform and a portfolio of in vivo CAR-T product candidates. The transaction is designed to build Tempest into a multi-platform in vivo CAR-T company focused on immune reset across oncology and autoimmune indications.
Under the agreement, Tempest holds an exclusive option to license the platform and its associated candidates. The portfolio includes a BCMA (搜索)/GPRC5D (搜索) dual-targeting in vivo CAR-T candidate currently in Phase 1 dose escalation for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (搜索), along with additional candidates for hematologic malignancies and autoimmune diseases. Tempest and Senlang will continue to evaluate the Phase 1 results and the broader product portfolio during the option period, and Tempest expects to provide additional information as the clinical data mature.
Two Delivery Platforms, Two CAR-Cell Profiles
The option agreement complements Tempest's existing CD7 (搜索)-targeted lipid nanoparticle (LNP) in vivo CAR-T delivery platform, which the company plans to move into the clinic later this year. According to Tempest, the two platforms are intended to support a broad portfolio of immune reset therapies with distinct pharmacological characteristics.
"Together, our targeted LNP and targeted lentiviral vector platforms are intended to support a broad portfolio of immune reset therapies," said Matt Angel, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Tempest. "The LNP platform offers a potentially repeatable approach to transient CAR expression, while the lentiviral platform is designed to support durable CAR-cell generation. These complementary capabilities provide Tempest with the flexibility to match the delivery approach to the biology and treatment requirements of different cancers and autoimmune diseases."
"This agreement represents an important step in building Tempest as a multi-platform in vivo CAR-T company focused on immune reset for oncology and autoimmune indications," Dr. Angel added. "Upon exercise of the option, the CD7 (搜索)-targeted lentiviral platform would complement our targeted LNP platform, providing two distinct approaches to generating CAR-T cells directly within patients. The lead program is currently in clinical development and has demonstrated in vivo CAR-T generation and expansion, providing encouraging early clinical support."
Lentiviral Platform Design and Preclinical Data
Senlang's proprietary platform uses targeted lentiviral vectors to deliver CAR transgenes to endogenous CD7 (搜索)-positive T cells and natural killer cells, generating CAR-T and CAR-NK cells directly within the patient. The approach is designed to avoid the individualized cell collection and external manufacturing required for conventional autologous CAR-T therapy.
The platform incorporates several engineering features. Proprietary nanobody-based retargeting is intended to promote selective cell engagement and efficient transduction, while an engineered detargeted cocal envelope is designed to improve serum resistance, particle stability and functional delivery in the bloodstream. Producer-cell engineering adds an immune-shielding feature to the lentiviral delivery particles, helping them remain functional longer in the bloodstream and improving delivery to CD7 (搜索)-positive immune cells.
In preclinical studies, the platform demonstrated enhanced transduction in whole blood and resting peripheral blood mononuclear cells. A single low-dose administration produced efficient in vivo transduction, rapid CAR-cell expansion, tumor-site enrichment and durable tumor regression in mouse models.
Dual Targeting Against BCMA and GPRC5D
The lead program encodes a dual-targeting CAR directed against BCMA (搜索) and GPRC5D (搜索), two clinically validated targets in multiple myeloma. Targeting both antigens may broaden malignant plasma-cell coverage and reduce the potential for tumor escape associated with the loss or downregulation of a single antigen, according to the company.
The candidate is being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 1 dose-escalation study in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (搜索). Early clinical observations at the current highest evaluable dose demonstrate successful generation and expansion of CAR-T cells in vivo. As of August 25, 2026, no Grade 3 or higher cytokine release syndrome and no immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) were observed. The initial safety profile supports continued dose escalation, and patient enrollment and follow-up remain ongoing.
Broader Pipeline Context
Tempest's lead product candidate, TPST-4003 (搜索), combines a clinically supported dual-targeting CD19 (搜索)/BCMA (搜索) CAR structure with an advanced CD7 (搜索)-targeting delivery system intended to support broad immune reset across multiple indications.
Senlang is a clinical-stage cell therapy company focused on next-generation CAR-T technologies, with specialized expertise in CD7 (搜索)-targeted CAR-T development. The company has established end-to-end capabilities spanning CAR design, vector and plasmid development, GMP manufacturing and clinical trial execution, and is currently advancing multiple CD7 CAR-T programs, including a pivotal CD7 CAR-T clinical trial for relapsed or refractory T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia (搜索) (T-LBL/ALL).