How does "Made in Chengdu" use "gene scissors" to fight tumors?
Chengdu Meijiecer Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Laboratory
When it comes to “gene editing”, a term with a sense of cutting-edge technology, many people think of high-tech scenes in science fiction blockbusters.
However, in the field of biomedicine, gene editing technology is gradually being used under the premise of compliance with the goal of precise treatment of human diseases.
Using the latest molecular biology and cell engineering technology, using pre-designed "gene scissors" to cut off the genes that lead to immune tolerance of tumor patients on immune cells is equivalent to "arming" immune cells and significantly amplifying them. Scale, and then return to the patient’s body, thereby enhancing their immune monitoring and anti-tumor capabilities, so that the condition of tumor patients can be gradually relieved and controlled. This is Chengdu Meijiecer Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Tough project.
Dr. Tao Deng, Chairman of Magesel, has been engaged in scientific research at New York University and the University of Toronto for many years, focusing on biotechnology fields such as genetic immunity and cancer stem cells. He has worked with the mentor-the 2020 Nobel Prize winner Charles in Physiology or Medicine. Rice (CharlesM.Rice) co-published a signed article.
Since landing in Chengdu in 2015, Megacell has been running on the new track of gene editing and cell engineering technology.
"At present, we are reporting to the National Medical Products Administration to promote the commercialization of R&D projects in an orderly manner according to plans and relevant regulations. In terms of capital markets, we will take into consideration the science and technology innovation board and Hong Kong stocks." Deng Tao was accepting reporters. Said in the interview.
Step on the new track of entrepreneurship to solve the most urgent problems in the market
Gene technology and cell engineering are currently the hotspots of global biomedicine research, and they are also the new track where Magesel has continued to sprint since it took root in Chengdu in 2015.
In 2020, Nobel Prize winner Jennifer published a commentary that gene editing will lead to revolutionary opportunities in the treatment of major diseases, especially for tumors and genetic diseases.
"Which area to target for technological breakthrough? Our strategy is to insist on'doing something and not doing something'. At present, patients with solid tumors in China are the most common and urgently need technological breakthroughs. The medical market demand is also huge, so we decided to concentrate our efforts on Sprint on this track."
"I have always had a vision. I hope to use cutting-edge biotechnology to develop new cell therapy products for the treatment of solid tumors to meet the urgent needs of patients with advanced tumors." Deng Tao is a native of Guangyuan, Sichuan. He has studied in Beijing and overseas for many years. With scientific research experience, he was optimistic about the industrial prospects and talent advantages of Chengdu Biomedicine. After returning to China, he chose to start his own business in Chengdu.
Nowadays, the R&D team of Meijiecer is changing from small to large.
Deng Tao believes that for a "returnee", Chengdu is a city that has done a good job in the organic combination of traditional culture and modern technology. This is a powerful attraction for young Rongpiao talents and senior entrepreneurial talents. , "For Magesar, you can find excellent'partners' to start a business in Chengdu."
In 2016, Megacell developed the world's first clinical GMP-level gene-edited T cell product, and jointly completed the world's first phase I clinical trial of gene-edited cell anti-tumor therapy with clinical trial partners, leading the way in biomedical technology for a long time The American scientific community in the United States only started a similar experiment six months later, which signified that Magesel was at the forefront of the world in the application of gene editing technology to develop new types of immune cell transformation applications for the treatment of solid tumors.
According to Deng Tao, Magesel’s gene editing technology is to isolate relevant immune cells in vitro, and use “gene scissors” designed in advance to cut out bad genes. This technical behavior is “gene editing”.
In this process, the most cutting-edge molecular biology and engineering techniques are used to cut out bad genes, and then use cell engineering techniques to amplify them on a large scale. "This is equivalent to the immune cells being re-armed once to achieve their functions. At the same time, the number should be increased by thousands of times. After the number of amplification is qualified, it will undergo strict safety and quality control, and then be transported to the hospital in the cold chain and injected into the tumor patient by intravenous infusion. This experiment The process is implemented under relevant national laws and regulations and medical ethics standards, and the team has completed Phase I clinical trials in 2018."
Meijiecer has done a total of 12 complete phase I clinical trials. The relevant results were published in Nature Medicine in April 2020. This is the world's most completed phase I clinical trial report of gene-edited cell therapy for tumors.
Speed up the commercialization of products and strive to land in the capital market
"With our iterative process development, the current gene editing efficiency has increased by more than three times. We are confident that the later clinical trials will significantly improve the efficacy. We will speed up the product commercial development process in accordance with relevant national regulations, and strive to market as soon as possible to meet the treatment of patients with advanced solid tumors. Urgent needs of the country.” Deng Tao said.
"Because of the treatment of tumors, especially advanced tumors, the biggest goal is to extend the survival and quality of life of patients. Immunotherapy with gene editing technology has great potential and advantages in extending the survival of patients with advanced tumors." Tao Deng It seems that gene-edited cell products can rebuild the immune function of patients, improve the macro-ecology and immune diversity of patients with advanced tumors, and thus become the most fundamental medication.
"At this stage, the treatment of advanced tumors depends on a single technology and a single drug to completely cure it. It is difficult to achieve a complete cure. The future trend of advanced tumor treatment is to combine precision and system, especially in improving immunity, so that the immune ecology can be restored to normal. It can delay and block the growth and metastasis of tumors, make tumors a chronic disease, achieve long-term survival with tumors, and then gradually shrink or even eradicate them. This is our main technical direction in the near future." Deng Tao said frankly that tumors are human beings. The healthiest public enemy, any small technological advancement in the fight against tumors is a big victory for mankind in the battle against tumors. "Technological breakthroughs will surely consolidate small ones and overcome tumors step by step."
Since last year, a number of biopharmaceutical companies such as Chengdu Pioneer, Yuandong Biotech, Sino Biotech, Olin Biotech have been listed, which has boosted the confidence of Chengdu Biopharmaceutical new track companies to sprint the capital market.
In the face of the capital market, Magesel is also actively preparing for the next round of financing plans to accelerate the commercialization of various pipeline products.
"Gene editing is the most cutting-edge field in the global biomedicine industry, and the research results in this area are very worth looking forward to! Cell therapy is aimed at the genetic mechanism of disease and targeted medication. This is the ultimate direction of biomedicine development. In fact. Gene editing is not a new concept. It has a history of several decades. However, due to operational reasons, it is still a long way from actual clinical application." Partner Luo Chao said that the investment in gene editing products is huge, and the power of capital will help companies go faster on this new track.
Chengdu Commercial Daily-Red Star News Reporter Ye Yan
Intern reporter Song Jia asked