ME Therapeutics Advances In Vivo CD19/CD22 CAR and Liver-Detargeted STING mRNA Programs
核心洞察
ME Therapeutics has engineered two differentiated lead constructs targeting both CD19 (搜索) and CD22 (搜索) for in vivo CAR therapy, using a dual-CAR co-expression strategy and a fused tandem single-CAR design.
The company is conducting head-to-head preclinical testing to select a final candidate, with LNP formulation and candidate selection expected in Q4 2026.
A novel liver-detargeted STING (搜索) mRNA formulation showed significantly reduced STING expression in human hepatocytes while preserving expression in non-hepatocyte cells, aiming to improve tumor specificity and safety.
ME Therapeutics Holdings Inc. (搜索) (CSE: METX) (FSE: Q9T), a publicly listed biotechnology company based in Vancouver, has provided a comprehensive update on its in vivo CD19 (搜索)/CD22 (搜索)-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) program, its therapeutic mRNA STING (搜索) program, and ongoing corporate initiatives. The company is developing novel cancer-fighting therapies designed to reprogram and redirect immune cells in vivo to reshape the tumor microenvironment and directly recognize and kill cancer cells.
In Vivo CAR Program
ME Therapeutics has successfully advanced its in vivo CAR pipeline to yield two differentiated lead constructs, each engineered with a distinct approach to targeting both CD19 (搜索) and CD22 (搜索) to treat certain blood cancers and autoimmune diseases. The dual-targeting approach provides a route to more effectively target cancer cells that may have lost CD19 expression to escape immune recognition.
The first configuration utilizes a co-expression strategy featuring two separate CARs: one targeting CD19 (搜索) and a second, dual-targeting construct directed at CD22 (搜索). The second configuration is a single, tandem CAR that fuses a CD19-targeting single-chain variable fragment (scFv) directly to a CD22-targeting single-domain antibody (VHH).
The company is conducting head-to-head preclinical testing of these two configurations to evaluate their comparative expression and functional profiles. Data generated from this comparative analysis will inform the selection of a final candidate. Once selected, the candidate will be formulated into T cell-targeting lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for effective in vivo mRNA delivery. ME Therapeutics expects to finalize its candidate selection and advance into the LNP formulation phase in Q4 2026.
Therapeutic mRNA STING Program
ME Therapeutics has also made advancements in its therapeutic mRNA program targeting the scientifically validated STING (搜索) (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) pathway. The company has successfully progressed the development of a novel liver-detargeted STING mRNA formulation, designed to restrict STING activation in the liver and focus expression more heavily within the tumor microenvironment.
In vitro testing of this new sequence has demonstrated a significant decrease in STING (搜索) protein expression in a human hepatocyte cell line, whereas expression in non-hepatocyte cells remains relatively unchanged. Greater tumor specificity aims to increase safety and specificity by minimizing potential systemic side effects while driving a potent anti-cancer immune response. The next step will be to formulate this therapeutic mRNA into an LNP for in vivo testing.
Proposed NASDAQ Listing
On the corporate front, ME Therapeutics continues to execute its strategy with the goal of securing a listing on the NASDAQ exchange. The company is actively working with its U.S. counsel and is in the process of addressing the initial round of comments on its draft F-1 registration statement.
"We are highly encouraged by the rapid advancement of our in vivo CAR program and the successful engineering of these two sophisticated CD19 (搜索)/CD22 (搜索)-targeted constructs," said Salim Dhanji, PhD, CEO of ME Therapeutics. "By rigorously comparing a dual-CAR approach against a fused single-CAR design, we are working to ensure our final candidate possesses an optimal profile for target engagement. By targeting both CD19 and CD22 using clinically tested binders, we believe our approach is differentiated from our competitors. Furthermore, the progression of our liver-detargeted STING (搜索) therapeutic mRNA program highlights our commitment to maximizing the safety and efficacy of our next-generation immunotherapies. Alongside our scientific milestones, our ongoing dialogue with the SEC regarding our draft F-1 statement represents progress forward in our pathway to a NASDAQ listing, which we anticipate will expand our investor base and support our long-term growth."