Our Science
Antibody-based T cell engagers
“CDR-Life’s T cell engaging antibodies are potentially transformative in the field of cancer immunotherapies”
Prof. Markus G. Manz, MD, Head of Medical Oncology and Hematology at University Hospital and University of Zurich, Switzerland
Our M-gager® Platform
IMMUNOTHERAPIES
The advent of immunotherapies have ushered in a new era in cancer treatment, offering new hope beyond traditional methods. However, while promising, to date they have only shown efficacy in certain patient populations and suffer from a high degree of off-tumor activity due to lack of tumor selectivity. This severely compromises the efficacy and safety of these promising therapies. Targeting antigens restricted to tumor cells is essential for the design and delivery of novel, truly impactful immunotherapies. CDR-Life is at the forefront of developing next-generation T cell engagers with enhanced tumor selectivity. Our goal is to enhance therapeutic efficacy while reducing side effects, potentially expanding the reach of these innovative therapies to benefit a wider range of patients.
Our M-gager® Platform
Tumor-Targeted T cell engager
Based on more than 20 years of experience in cutting-edge antibody fragment design, engineering, and production, CDR-Life’s integrated end-to-end antibody-based platform facilitates the development of novel tumor-targeted T cell engagers (TCEs), addressing hard-to-treat solid tumors through enhanced cancer selectivity. We are harnessing our platform to advance a pipeline of potent and tumor-selective TCEs, aiming to increase therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects.
With CDR-Life’s unique M-gager® platform we are targeting a broad spectrum of cancer specific antigens including challenging surface antigens as well as intracellular antigens displayed on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Our modular format with unparalleled antigen binding specificity further elevates selective targeting of cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. By combining precise targeting of highly cancer-specific antigens with a modular and flexible format, CDR-Life is developing truly tumor-targeted and eradicating T cell engagers.
M-gager® demonstrates excellent drug properties
CDR-Life’s M-gager® platform is our proprietary technology designed to develop highly tumor-targeted, antibody-derived T cell engagers. Utilizing a unique phage display library with billions of small antibody fragments, we deliver a modular technology that achieves unparalleled tumor antigen specificity in the T cell engager format, leading to effective and tumor-selective T cell recruitment. M-gager® molecules have excellent drug properties and are anticipated to be highly effective immunotherapies for a wide range of promising targets.
How do M-gager® molecules work?
The unique tumor antigen-specific moieties recognize and attach to cancer cells, while the anti-CD3 effector function engages CD3 on T cells. Concurrently, they signal a patient’s T cells to create a powerful cancer-fighting zone. The simultaneous binding of both the tumor antigen and CD3 promotes the formation of a cytolytic synapse between T cells and tumor cells, enabling T cells to release special proteins that can break down cancer cells without harming healthy ones.
As this process happens, the patient’s body creates more T cells specifically trained to recognize these cancer cells. Some of these new T cells become ‘memory cells,’ providing ongoing protection against cancer’s return. This immunological memory forms the basis for durable responses observed in some patients following successful immunotherapy. The activated T cells send out signals to attract even more immune cells to the tumor site. This triggers a coordinated, multi-pronged attack on cancer cells that can lead to more effective and longer-lasting treatment outcomes.
Collectively, M-gager® molecules trigger a cascade of T cell biological effects including (1) T cell activation, (2) polyclonal expansion, (3) memory formation, and (4) peripheral recruitment, which together facilitate the synergistic lysis of tumor cells.
Our Pipeline
Our diversified and growing pipeline of highly targeted T cell engagers addresses solid tumors and other high unmet need disease areas
CDR404
Urgent need for new therapies in solid tumors
MAGE-A4 is commonly overexpressed in difficult-to-treat solid tumors including non-small cell lung, head and neck, synovial sarcoma, bladder, and gynecological malignancies. Redirecting T cell migration towards MAGE-A4 positive tumors is likely to be an important treatment option for these patients.
What is MAGE-A4?
Melanoma-associated antigen A4 (MAGE-A4) is a protein that has minimal or no presence in healthy tissue but exhibits increased expression in several solid tumors. Tumor cells display MAGE-A4 fragments on their cell membrane via the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) protein.
CDR404 – a novel molecule for cancer treatment
Currently, cancer-specific proteins such as MAGE-A4 can only be targeted by highly complex treatments, like engineered cell therapies, which are individualized and expensive to manufacture and produce. CDR404 is a potent off-the-shelf treatment and is a first-of-its-kind, antibody-based MAGE-A4 T cell engager for MAGE-A4 positive solid tumors.
Phase 1 clinical trial of CDR404 in solid tumors – recruiting
The CDR404-001 trial is evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and initial signs of clinical efficacy of CDR404. This first-in-human study is an open-label, multi-center trial, investigating escalating doses of CDR404 in patients who are positive for HLA-A*02:01 with solid tumors expressing MAGE-A4. Further information can be found at NCT06402201 or contact CDR404-001_Study@CDR-Life.com.