GC Cell announced on Tuesday that it has successfully registered a core technology patent for developing next-generation cell and gene therapies in both South Korea and Japan.
This groundbreaking patent covers a technology that controls the Class II Major Histocompatibility Complex Transcription Activator (CIITA), a key gene responsible for regulating immune rejection responses.
Traditionally, allogeneic cell therapies, which use cells from donors, have faced significant challenges as the patient’s immune system often recognizes and attacks these foreign cells.
GC Cell has now secured a foundational technology that can potentially overcome this hurdle by regulating the CIITA gene, thereby reducing immune recognition and minimizing rejection responses.
What sets this technology apart is its ability to create low-immunogenic cells through a relatively straightforward process, eliminating the need for complex simultaneous editing of multiple genes.
Moreover, this versatile platform technology can be applied across a wide range of cell therapies, unrestricted by specific cell types or indications, significantly broadening its potential applications.
GC Cell has also secured comprehensive rights covering manufacturing methods using various gene editing tools and the cells produced using this technology.
This strategic move is expected to substantially bolster the company’s competitive edge in the commercialization of cell therapies moving forward.
This breakthrough stems from a collaboration with Canada’s Feldan Therapeutics, facilitated by the Korea-Canada International Joint Technology Development Project under the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT). Notably, GC Cell retains 100% ownership of the patent rights.
Won Seong-yong, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GC Cell, emphasized the significance of securing this joint research outcome with global partners as independent intellectual property. He affirmed the company’s commitment to leveraging this patent to continually strengthen their technological prowess in the global cell therapy market.