In Vivo Programmable CAR-T Cell Therapy PrimeCAR Enters Phase II Clinical Trial
Shanghai's InnoCell Bio achieves in vivo programmability for CAR-T cells, enabling a single injection to be redirected against different cancer targets through oral drug triggers.
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Shanghai's InnoCell Bio announced in November 2028 that its PrimeCAR in vivo programmable CAR-T cell therapy has completed an interim analysis of its Phase II clinical trial with positive results.
Traditional CAR-T therapy requires customizing different T-cell products for each cancer target — switching targets demands fresh cell collection, modification, and reinfusion, taking weeks and costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. PrimeCAR's core innovation is embedding a programmable switch within T cells, allowing target switching in vivo through oral small-molecule drugs.
Phase II data shows a 78% complete remission rate in relapsed/refractory hematologic cancer patients — comparable to traditional CAR-T — but patients can switch targets without re-collection and modification. Treatment cycles shrink from 6-8 weeks to 2-3 weeks, with costs reduced by approximately 60%.
Safety-wise, PrimeCAR includes a built-in kill switch — in cases of severe cytokine storm, another drug triggers CAR-T cell apoptosis. Serious adverse events occurred in 5% of trial participants, below the 12% rate for traditional CAR-T.
InnoCell Bio plans to launch Phase III trials in 2029, targeting NMPA approval by 2030. The company has secured 800 million yuan in Series C funding from Hillhouse Ventures and Qiming Venture Partners.
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