eTheRNA immunotherapies, a clinical-stage company developing novel cancer immunotherapies based on its proprietary mRNA-based TriMix platform, announces the opening of a state-of-the-art mRNA manufacturing facility enabling the production of mRNA immunotherapies.
Designed to Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) specifications and certified by the Belgian Federal Agency for Medicines and Healthcare Products, the new EUR 5 million facility, adjacent to its headquarters in Niel, gives eTheRNA the capacity to manufacture mRNA-based TriMix immunotherapies for Phase 1 and 2 clinical development programs as well as for preclinical studies. Initially, eTheRNA intends to use the facility exclusively to supply material for its own existing and planned clinical studies. Depending on future demand, the Company has the option to expand capacity allowing it to manufacture mRNA products for strategic partnerships with third parties.
eTheRNA's mRNA immunotherapy pipeline is based on its TriMix platform, which comprises three mRNAs encoding proteins that work synergistically to deliver optimal activation of dendritic immune cells. These cells behave as immune response mediators and so mobilize the immune system to attack cancer cells through inducing a directed cytotoxic T-cell response.
A Phase 1b study (E011-MEL) evaluating ECI-006, a TriMix-based immunotherapy boosted with mRNAs encoding five melanoma tumor-specific antigens, is on-going in melanoma patients. Completion of enrolment for a low dose cohort of the study and initial safety data were announced in March, with ten patients recruited. No adverse safety signals were observed in this cohort, which has completed the dosing phase. The treatment via intranodal administration was well tolerated. The study is progressing in a high-dose cohort with results, including immunological responses and the full safety dataset, from both cohorts anticipated in the first half of 2019. Further clinical studies for TriMix immunotherapies are expected to commence in 2018 and 2019 using material produced at the new manufacturing facility.
Dr. Russell G. Greig, Chairman of eTheRNA, said: "This manufacturing facility is core to our long-term strategy and brings us closer to the industrialisation of our TriMix immunotherapies. It will enable us to leverage the potential of the TriMix platform, control our supply chain and provide the necessary scale and flexibility to support development of our mRNA-based immunotherapy portfolio. We also believe this facility to be an opportunity to develop new global R&D collaborations based on our manufacturing capabilities."
The facility was officially inaugurated in a ceremony today by Philippe Muyters, Flemish minister for Work, Economy, Innovation and Sports, and Tom De Vries, Mayor of Niel.
Philippe Muyters, Flemish minister for Work, Economy, Innovation and Sports, said: "I am very happy that I had the honour to officially open this unique mRNA production facility. This event provides further confirmation of the important role that Flanders plays in the field of research and development of innovative therapies. Innovation is in our DNA, as already evidenced by the successes of several other companies in the biotechnology and related sectors, headquartered in Flanders. Innovation is also in our mRNA, thus enabling Flanders to provide a significant contribution to the development of novel immunotherapies against various diseases including cancer."
About TriMix
The TriMix platform, on which eTheRNA's immunotherapies are based, comprises three mRNAs encoding proteins (caTLR4, CD40L and CD70) that work synergistically to deliver optimal activation of dendritic cells. These cells behave as immune response mediators and so mobilize the immune system to attack cancer cells through inducing a T-cell response.
Clinical proof of concept for TriMix-based immunotherapies has been established through an extensive dataset demonstrating clear clinical benefits in advanced melanoma patients.
The Phase 1b study, E011-MEL, recruited its first patient in June 2017 and is assessing two different doses of ECI-006.
Further clinical studies for TriMix immunotherapies are planned to initiate in 2018/19, focused on melanoma and breast cancer indications. These and further studies are designed to determine the optimal route of administration and confirm the potential of TriMix-based treatments as a cornerstone for cancer immunotherapy, both alone and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors.
