Genezen and Optieum Biotechnologies Partnership to Advance CAR-T Therapy for Glioblastoma
Tuesday, May 06, 2025
Genezen has entered into a partnership with Optieum Biotechnologies.
The collaboration aims to support the current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) manufacturing of a lentiviral vector (LVV) construct for OPTF01, an innovative CAR-T therapy being developed for glioblastoma.
OPTF01 is based on Optieum’s proprietary Eumbody System and targets Fibroblast Activation Protein-alpha (FAPα). This protein is present on tumour cells as well as surrounding pericytes and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which contribute to the immunosuppressive tumour environment.
By targeting FAPα, OPTF01 has the potential to attack both the malignant cells and their protective surroundings, offering a promising approach for patients with treatment-resistant glioblastoma and potentially other solid tumours.
Under the terms of the agreement, Genezen will manage technology transfer, process development, and the cGMP production of the LVV used to manufacture the OPTF01 therapy. This collaboration is expected to play a key role in accelerating the development of Optieum’s CAR-T programmes.
The Eumbody System, from which OPTF01 is derived, is designed to optimise CAR-T therapies through a platform that enables high-throughput functional screening. It allows for rapid identification and refinement of CAR constructs by enhancing the performance of single-chain variable fragment (scFv) sequences.
This method supports the development of more effective T cell therapies and reflects a significant advance in the field of CAR-T technology.
This partnership reflects both companies' ongoing commitment to advancing novel cell therapies that address unmet medical needs in oncology.
Source: prnewswire.com
