Marker Therapeutics Inc (MRKR)

[microcapbiotech]

non-clinical data on its lead multi-tumor-associated antigen (multiTAA)-specific T cell product candidate, MT-401, which showed increased anti-tumor activity against an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell line after treatment with hypomethylating agents (HMA).

THP-1 cell growth, however, was significantly decreased when MT-401 was added after exposure to 5’-Azacytidine compared to MT-401 or 5’-Azacytidine administration alone, suggesting a synergistic effect between the two agents.

These benefits could therefore significantly enhance the potential clinical outcome of our multiTAA-specific T cell product,” said Juan F. Vera, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Marker Therapeutics. “In light of these encouraging results we are planning to incorporate these findings into our current AML clinical study to improve and empower our multiTAA-specific T cell outcomes.

Based on this non-clinical data, Marker received a $2 million grant from the NIH. The awarded SBIR grant will support a nationwide multi-center Phase 2b clinical trial in AML patients following HSCT to evaluate the effect of MT-401 administered after pre-treatment with HMAs.