TIDMHZD
Horizon Discovery Group plc
08 July 2019
Horizon Discovery's SMARTvector shRNA technology deployed in
Celyad's successful IND filing for next-generation CAR-T cell
therapy, CYAD-02
-- Phase 1 trial scheduled for early 2020 will be first CAR-T
cell therapy clinical trial to employ SMARTvector technology
-- Horizon will receive a milestone payment for the successful
IND filing of CYAD-02, autologous NKG2D-based CAR-T candidate
Cambridge, UK, 8 July 2019: Horizon Discovery Group plc (LSE:
HZD) ("Horizon"), a company driving the application of gene editing
and gene modulation within the global life science market, today
announced that Celyad (Euronext Brussels and Paris, and Nasdaq:
CYAD), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the
development of CAR-T cell-based therapies, received FDA Acceptance
of Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the autologous
NKG2D based CAR-T cell therapy CYAD-02 that deploys Horizon's
optimized SMARTvector(TM) shRNA technology. The Phase 1 trial will
be the first CAR-T cell therapy to employ the SMARTvector platform.
Horizon will receive an undisclosed milestone payment for the
successful IND filing.
Celyad has been investigating the use of shRNAs to support the
clinical development of its CAR-T cell platform. The FDA approved
IND application involves CYAD-02, a next generation CAR-T cell
therapy in which shRNA is employed to suppress two genes. Celyad
has pre-clinical data indicating that this improves in vivo
engraftment and efficacy of CYAD-02.
A Phase 1 dose-escalation trial evaluating the safety and
clinical activity of CYAD-02 is planned for early 2020 and will
involve a preconditioning chemotherapy (CyFlu) in patients with
relapse/refractory (r/r) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or
myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
Terry Pizzie, Chief Executive Officer, Horizon Discovery Group
plc, commented: "We see great potential for shRNA technology in the
optimization of next-generation cell therapies. The success of this
IND filing is testament to the strength of our relationship with
Celyad, and the powerful combination of Horizon's SMARTvector shRNA
platform with Celyad's CAR-T expertise."
Filippo Petti, Chief Executive Officer, Celyad, said: "Over the
past few years Celyad has made great strides in evaluating our
NKG2D-based CAR-T therapy for the treatment of relapsed/refractory
acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. The FDA
approval for the CYAD-02 IND application will allow us to evaluate
new therapies in this difficult to treat population and the
inclusion of an optimized shRNA developed using Horizon's
SMARTvector technology represents the output of a strong
collaboration. We look forward to a continued successful
relationship."
ENDS
About the use of Horizon's SMARTvector(TM) shRNA technology in
gene therapy
RNA interference (RNAi) is a well-established technique in which
RNA molecules silence gene expression by neutralizing targeted
messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, preventing the production of
functional proteins. The ability of synthetic (artificial) short
hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) to provide specific and prolonged gene
silencing opens up the possibility of inhibiting mRNAs with key
roles in disease progression: thus shRNAs can be important
mediators of gene therapy. Horizon's SMARTvector shRNA technology
uses a SMARTvector shRNA algorithm to rationally design target
shRNA sequences with high specificity to ensure optimal gene
silencing.
The SMARTvector platform originates from the product portfolio
of Dharmacon - a company that is now part of Horizon Discovery.
For further information from Horizon Discovery Group plc, please
contact:
Horizon Discovery Group plc
Terry Pizzie, Chief Executive Officer
Jayesh Pankhania, Chief Financial Officer
Jon Davies, Head of Investor Relations
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 655 580
Zyme Communications (Trade and Regional Media)
Katie Odgaard
Tel: +44 (0)7787 502 947
Email: katie.odgaard@zymecommunications.com
Consilium Strategic Communications (International Financial
PR)
Mary-Jane Elliott, Matthew Neal
Tel: +44 (0)203 709 5700
Email: horizon@consilium-comms.com
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About Horizon Discovery Group plc www.horizondiscovery.com
Horizon Discovery Group plc (LSE: HZD) ("Horizon") drives the
application of gene editing and gene modulation within the global
life science market - supporting scientists on the path from
research to therapy.
Built upon more than a decade of experience in the engineering
of cell lines, Horizon offers an unmatched portfolio of tools and
services to help scientists gain a greater understanding of gene
function, identify genetic drivers behind human disease, deliver
biotherapeutics, cellular and gene therapies for precision medicine
as well as develop and validate diagnostic workflows.
Horizon's solutions enable almost any gene to be altered, or its
function modulated, in human and other mammalian cell lines.
The Company's customers include many of the world's foremost
academic institutes, global pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies as well as clinical diagnostic laboratories. Insight into
the challenges faced by these organizations enables Horizon to
focus efforts on development of innovative solutions that not only
differentiate the Company's offering, but also fuel development of
the next wave of precision medicines.
Horizon is headquartered in Cambridge, UK with offices in USA
and Japan. The Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM
market under the ticker HZD.
About Celyad
Celyad is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on
the development of specialized CAR-T cell-based product candidates
and utilizes its expertise in cell engineering to target cancer.
Celyad's CAR-T cell platform has the potential to treat a broad
range of solid and hematologic tumors. The company's lead clinical
candidate, CYAD-01, an autologous NKG2D-based CAR-T therapy, is
currently being evaluated in several Phase 1 clinical trials to
assess safety and clinical activity for the treatment of
hematological malignancies, such as acute myeloid leukemia, and
solid cancers, such as metastatic colorectal cancer. Celyad is also
developing CYAD-101, an investigational, non-gene edited,
allogeneic (donor derived) NKG2D-based CAR-T therapy, which is
currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 trial for the treatment of
patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Celyad was founded in
2007 and is based in Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium, and New York, NY.
Celyad's ordinary shares are listed on the Euronext Brussels and
Euronext Paris exchanges, and its American Depository Shares are
listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, all under the ticker symbol
CYAD.
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END
NRADGGDRBDGBGCR
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July 08, 2019 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)
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