• HaemaLogiX and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre have entered a collaboration agreement to develop and conduct the first Phase I human trial of HaemaLogiX's CAR-T cell therapy in patients with kappa-type myeloma
• The agreement is the culmination of previous preclinical research collaboration between the two teams, which demonstrated compelling proof of concept
• The Phase I trial aims to show the clinical safety and efficacy of KMA.CAR-T in a limited number of patients.

KMA.CAR-T is a novel immunotherapy that targets a receptor called Kappa Myeloma Antigen (KMA) found only on the surface of myeloma cells in kappa-type multiple myeloma patients and not on normal immune cells, which means normal immune cells are not damaged by the treatment.

The agreement sees the HaemaLogiX and Peter Mac Centre of Excellence in Cellular Immunotherapy continue to co-develop KMA.CAR-T, following a collaborative preclinical research project that demonstrated compelling proof of concept. Preclinical data shows the anti-KMA CAR-T cells selectively killed KMA-expressing myeloma cell lines and demonstrated potent anti-myeloma activity in a xenograft mouse model.

Dr Rosanne Dunn, HaemaLogiX Director| Chief Scientific Officer and Founder, said: "CAR-T cell therapy is now a realistic option for myeloma patients who have failed standard of care treatments. We're excited to progress KMA.CAR-T to the clinic in collaboration with Peter Mac, a renowned Australian cancer hospital and research institute that has been involved in the development of many of the CAR-T therapies now approved as treatments."

Professor Simon Harrison, Director of the Peter Mac Centre of Excellence in Cellular Immunotherapy, said: "CAR-T cell therapy is a game-changer in the treatment of certain blood cancers, such as multiple myeloma. We are delighted to continue our project with HaemaLogiX to translate the preclinical potential of KMA.CAR-T into a novel first-in-human clinical trial therapy."

Under the agreement, HaemaLogiX brings its patented KappaMab technology to the collaboration with Peter Mac to develop the technology, method of manufacturing and conduct the trial.

The proof of concept trial will be conducted initially in six patients, with the possibility of expanding to twelve patients.