ALA-105: CLDN18.2-iNKT
Arovella has entered into a global, exclusive license with Sparx Group to develop a world-first iNKT cell therapy targeting a validated target, Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2), which is expressed in gastric cancer (GC), gastroesophageal junction cancer (GEJC) and pancreatic cancer (PC).
What is ALA-105’s targeting mechanism?
CLDN18.2 is naturally sequestered between epithelial cells and cannot be accessed by a cell therapy. Upon malignant transformation, cancer cells lose their polarity and CLDN18.2 becomes exposed and accessible to a cell therapy. Arovella is using Sparx’s novel antibody (SPX-101) that targets CLDN18.2 to create CLDN18.2-targeting CAR-iNKT cells.
What diseases will ALA-105 treat?
ALA-105 targets CLDN18.2 which is on the surface of numerous cancer types including gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, pancreatic cancer and some forms of lung and ovarian cancer. Each year gastric cancer leads to more than 700,000 deaths worldwide and pancreatic cancer causes more than 400,000 deaths worldwide.
How could this change the cancer landscape?
The natural properties of iNKT cells position them well as a therapeutic agent targeting solid tumours. ALA-105 is the only CAR-iNKT cell under development targeting CLDN18.2.
