University of Birmingham creates a spinout specifically for the purpose of developing its gene modifying T cell research that targets solid tumours.
Alta Innovations, the commercial arm of the University of Birmingham, has created an immuno-oncology spinout called Chimeric Therapeutics.
Chimeric will hold all intellectual property rights relating to discoveries based around using gene modifying T cells to target and treat solid tumours.
It has been created in conjunction with UK-based cancer charity Cancer Research UK and Cell Therapy Catapult, a centre of excellence in innovation in cell and gene therapy backed by Innovate UK, a UK non-departmental public body.
The research in this field is part of a discovery program funded by Cancer Research UK, that supports cancer research and awareness. The University of Birmingham research is being carried out by Steven Lee and Roy Bicknell.
The therapy being developed causes tumours to stop growing and reduce in size as it acts as a disruptive agent to the tumour’s oxygen supply.
Currently the research is in the final stages of preclinical development. It is expected to enter clinical trials once the preclinical stages are finalised.
