- JDRF-funded grant will be used to explore combination of NexImmune’s antigen-specific nanoparticles and an anti-CD3 mAb for the prevention and treatment of type 1 diabetes
GAITHERSBURG, Md., May 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NexImmune, Inc. (NEXI), Yale, and JDRF have launched a two-year project to explore the use of NexImmune’s AIM nanoparticles in combination with an anti-CD3 mAb to tolerate, deplete, or modulate diabetes antigen-specific T cells. The $600,000 grant, funded by JDRF at Yale, is part of its Cures research portfolio, which includes therapies for the prevention of type 1 diabetes (T1D).
“We are excited to partner with forward-thinking institutions such as JDRF and Yale to study our technology in combination with a murine substitute for teplizumab, a candidate T-cell specific mAb,” said Dr. Jack Ragheb, Senior Vice President of translational sciences and medicine. at NexImmune. “NexImmune’s technology has the potential to modulate autoimmune diseases through the presentation of disease-specific antigens that send a signal to tolerate or kill autoantigen-specific self-reactive CD8+ T cells. Along with teplizumab, we believe this combination has the potential to delay or prevent T1D. »
“Combining teplizumab with technology that can directly target autoreactive T cells that are known to mediate pancreatic beta cell destruction has the potential to be a transformative therapy for patients with autoimmune diabetes. We are excited to work with NexImmune and JDRF to find a way to improve treatments for this persistent and difficult to control disease,” said Dr. Kevan Herold, Deputy Director of the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation, Co-Director of the Yale Diabetes Center, and CNH Long Professor of Immunobiology and of Medicine (Endocrinology) at Yale School of Medicine.
The JDRF Prize will fund efforts to study the use of NexImmune’s AIM nanoparticles in combination with a murine substitute for teplizumab. Clinically, teplizumab can acutely modulate the pathogenic immune response and will be combined with NexImmune therapy, which can target antigen-specific T cells and potentially maintain their unresponsiveness. The study will test this hypothesis in a preclinical model by combining anti-CD3 mAb treatment with T1D antigen-specific nanoparticles to modulate residual diabetogenic T cells.
“Identifying combination therapies for T1D is a critical part of JDRF’s strategy to accelerate treatment advancements. Dr. Herold’s work builds on decades of JDRF support for the development of teplizumab, and we are thrilled to continue this partnership and fund this exciting new study aimed at improving and prolonging efficacy by combining teplizumab with NexImmune’s AIM nanoparticle technology,” said Joshua Vieth, JDRF Director, Research.
About NexImmune
NexImmune is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a new approach to immunotherapy designed to use the body’s own T cells to generate a specific, potent and long-lasting immune response. The backbone of NexImmune’s approach is a proprietary Artificial Immune Modulating Nanoparticle (AIM™) technology platform. AIM technology enables NexImmune to construct nanoparticles that function as synthetic dendritic cells capable of directing a specific T cell-mediated immune response. The nanoparticles constructed by AIM use natural biology to engage, activate and expand endogenous T cells so as to combine anti-tumor attributes of antigen-specific precision, potency and long-term persistence with reduced potential for off-target toxicities.
NexImmune’s two flagship programs, NEXI-001 and NEXI-002, are in phase 1/2 clinical trials for the treatment of relapsed AML after allogeneic stem cell transplantation and multiple myeloma refractory to at least three prior lines of therapy , respectively. NexImmune is also developing novel AIM nanoparticle constructs and modalities for potential clinical evaluation in oncology and disease areas outside of oncology, including autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases.
For more information, visit www.neximmune.com.
About JDRF
JDRF’s mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To achieve this, JDRF has invested more than $2.5 billion in research funding since its inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for effectiveness and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on the national stage to implement common resources, passion and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, policymakers, and business and industry partners to develop and deliver a portfolio of innovative therapies for people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers across the United States and our five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement, and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter (@JDRF), Facebook (@myjdrf) and Instagram (@jdrfhq).
Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on beliefs and assumptions and information currently available to the management of NexImmune, Inc. (the “Company”). . All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our planned and ongoing clinical studies for the Company’s product candidates, including NEXI-001 and NEXI-002. ; the initiation, enrollment, timing, progress, release of data and results of such planned and ongoing clinical studies; and the utility of prior preclinical and clinical data in determining future clinical outcomes. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, ” estimates”, “predicts”, “potential” or “continue” or the negative form of these terms or any other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 9, 2022, and subsequent reports we file with the SEC. Forward-looking statements represent the Company’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this press release to conform the forward-looking statements to actual results or changes in his expectations.
contacts:
NexImmune:
Chad Rubin, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs
NexImmune, Inc.
646.319.3261
[email protected]
