Tessa Therapeutics Recognized in “Most Promising Off-the-Shelf Therapies” Category at Asia-Pacific Cell & Gene Therapy Excellence Awards 2022

Tessa developing allogeneic “off-the-shelf” CD30-CAR EBVST cell therapy – TT11X – targeting relapsed or refractory CD30-positive lymphomas

SINGAPORE, Sept. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tessa Therapeutics Ltd. (Tessa), a clinical-stage cell therapy company developing next-generation cancer treatments for hematological malignancies and solid tumors, today announced that TT11X, the company’s allogeneic “off-the-shelf” CD30.CAR EBVST cell therapy, has been recognized in the “Most Promising Off-the-Shelf Therapies” category at the Asia-Pacific Cell & Gene Therapy Excellence Awards (ACGTEA) 2022. The ACGTEA 2022 Awards were held in conjunction with the 6th Cell & Gene Therapy World Asia 2022.

TT11X is based on Tessa’s proprietary CD30.CAR-modified Epstein-Barr virus-specific T-cell (EBVST) platform. This technology was developed following decades-long research by the company’s Scientific Co-Founder, Malcolm Brenner, M.D., Ph.D., and researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, into the unique properties of virus specific T-cells (VSTs). These highly specialized T cells have the ability to recognize and kill infected cells while activating other parts of the immune system for a coordinated response. Allogeneic VSTs without any form of genetic modification have demonstrated a strong safety profile and efficacy in early trials with minimal risk of graft rejection and Graft vs Host Disease (GVHD).

Clinical data from an ongoing Phase 1 study (NCT04288726) of TT11X in CD30-positive lymphomas demonstrated a favorable safety profile and encouraging signs of efficacy with clinical responses observed in seven of nine patients, including a complete disappearance of tumors reported in four patients.

“We are very excited to be recognized among the innovators in developing ‘off-the-shelf’ cell therapy technologies and greatly appreciate the ACGTEA 2022 award,” Dr. Ivan Horak, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of Tessa Therapeutics, said. “Allogeneic cell therapy technology has the potential to transform the accessibility and affordability of CAR-T, but toxicity concerns remain a key obstacle. Data from our ongoing Phase 1 trial of TT11X suggest that our CD30.CAR EBVST platform has the potential to overcome these toxicity challenges, including GVHD, while also eliciting promising signals of efficacy.”

About Tessa Therapeutics 
Tessa Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation cell therapies for the treatment of hematological cancers and solid tumors. Tessa’s lead clinical asset, TT11, is an autologous CD30-CAR-T therapy currently being investigated as a potential treatment for relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma as both a monotherapy (Phase 2) and combination therapy (Phase 1b). TT11 has been granted RMAT designation by the FDA and access to the PRIME scheme by European Medicine Agency. Tessa is also advancing an allogeneic “off-the- shelf” cell therapy platform targeting a broad range of cancers in which Epstein Barr Virus Specific T Cells (EBVSTs) are augmented with CD30-CAR. A therapy using this platform is currently the subject of a Phase 1 clinical trial in CD30-positive lymphomas. Tessa has its global headquarters in Singapore, where the company has built a state of the art, commercial cell therapy manufacturing facility. For more information on Tessa, visit www.tessacell.com.