SubsidieMeestersBreakthrough Neoantigen-specific Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte Therapies Through Novel Dendritic Cell Reprogramming
The Repro-TIL project aims to enhance tumor-reactive TIL expansion for more effective immunotherapy in solid tumors, paving the way for improved treatment outcomes and commercialization.
Projectdetails
Introduction
Solid tumors present a significant challenge in oncology due to the limited efficacy of current therapies and resistance to immunotherapies like checkpoint inhibitors. While adoptive cell transfer (ACT) using Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) has shown promise in immunogenic tumors like melanoma, broader success has been hindered by inefficient TIL expansion, T-cell exhaustion, and low tumor reactivity (<0.5% tumor-reactive clones in TIL products). These limitations result in inconsistent outcomes and slow clinical adoption.
Project Overview
The Repro-TIL project aims to address these challenges by establishing a first-in-class platform designed to selectively expand neoantigen-specific, tumor-reactive TILs. The project builds on the ERC POC project 'NeoIDC,' which introduced a novel method for reprogramming cancer cells into antigen-presenting conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s), leading to tumor-reactive T cell priming.
Objectives
The Repro-TIL approach enhances the production of highly tumor-specific TILs, offering a more effective immunotherapy for solid tumor patients. The project will focus on:
- Completing preclinical validation and CTA-enabling studies to reach TRL6.
- Optimizing the platform for TIL expansion.
- Identifying biomarkers of TIL potency.
- Developing a GMP-compliant manufacturing process.
- Establishing regulatory and commercial pathways for future clinical trials and market entry.
Consortium Expertise
The project’s multidisciplinary consortium brings together expertise in:
- Translational immunotherapy
- ACT manufacturing
- Regulatory strategy
- Business development
This combination ensures successful project implementation and lays the groundwork for commercialization.
Future Impact
By its conclusion, Repro-TIL will be positioned as a superior ACT solution, with the potential to significantly improve treatment outcomes in melanoma and hard-to-treat solid tumors such as sarcoma and breast cancer. This scalable, cost-effective platform could set the stage for a new era of personalized cancer therapies.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
| Subsidiebedrag | € 2.480.367 |
| Totale projectbegroting | € 2.480.367 |
Tijdlijn
| Startdatum | 1-6-2025 |
| Einddatum | 31-5-2028 |
| Subsidiejaar | 2025 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- ASGARD THERAPEUTICS ABpenvoerder
- REGION HOVEDSTADEN
- LUNDS UNIVERSITET
Land(en)
Vergelijkbare projecten binnen EIC Transition
| Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Targeting cardiac fibrosis with next generation RNA therapeuticsFIBREX aims to develop an innovative ncRNA-based antisense oligonucleotide therapy targeting Meg3 to reverse cardiac fibrosis and treat heart failure, advancing towards clinical readiness. | EIC Transition | € 2.499.482 | 2022 | Details |
automated in-line separatioN and dEtection of eXtracellular vesicles for liqUid biopsy applicationSThe NEXUS project aims to industrialize a customizable platform for the separation and analysis of extracellular vesicles from biofluids, enhancing cancer diagnostics and monitoring. | EIC Transition | € 2.497.750 | 2022 | Details |
Predictive REagent-Antibody Replacement Technology stage 2-TranslationPRe-ART-2T aims to advance predictive antibody technology to TRL6, replacing low-quality monoclonal antibodies with high-performing synthetic alternatives, and attract ~€20M in investment. | EIC Transition | € 800.000 | 2022 | Details |
Advancing a vaccine targeting genetic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (C9orf72 ALS) to the clinical stageDeveloping a poly-GA peptide vaccine to reduce protein aggregation and motor deficits in C9orf72 ALS, aiming for clinical evaluation and market entry through strategic partnerships. | EIC Transition | € 2.499.810 | 2022 | Details |
Targeting cardiac fibrosis with next generation RNA therapeutics
FIBREX aims to develop an innovative ncRNA-based antisense oligonucleotide therapy targeting Meg3 to reverse cardiac fibrosis and treat heart failure, advancing towards clinical readiness.
automated in-line separatioN and dEtection of eXtracellular vesicles for liqUid biopsy applicationS
The NEXUS project aims to industrialize a customizable platform for the separation and analysis of extracellular vesicles from biofluids, enhancing cancer diagnostics and monitoring.
Predictive REagent-Antibody Replacement Technology stage 2-Translation
PRe-ART-2T aims to advance predictive antibody technology to TRL6, replacing low-quality monoclonal antibodies with high-performing synthetic alternatives, and attract ~€20M in investment.
Advancing a vaccine targeting genetic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (C9orf72 ALS) to the clinical stage
Developing a poly-GA peptide vaccine to reduce protein aggregation and motor deficits in C9orf72 ALS, aiming for clinical evaluation and market entry through strategic partnerships.
Vergelijkbare projecten uit andere regelingen
| Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Polyclonal anti-tumor immunity by engineered human T cellsThis project aims to enhance adoptive T cell therapies for solid tumors by engineering TCR sensitivity and safety, creating robust, antigen-agnostic immune responses to improve patient outcomes. | ERC STG | € 1.812.500 | 2022 | Details |
Developing novel single-cell technologies to model and perturb intra-tumor interactions and signaling – an innovation program for the next generation of immunotherapiesThe TROJAN-Cell project aims to engineer immune responses against tumors by understanding immune-suppressive mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment using advanced single-cell technologies. | ERC ADG | € 2.500.000 | 2022 | Details |
Neoantigen Identification with Dendritic Cell ReprogrammingThe NeoIDC project aims to revolutionize cancer immunotherapy by using cDC1 reprogramming to identify immunogenic neoantigens and TCRs for developing effective vaccines and adoptive T cell therapies. | ERC POC | € 150.000 | 2023 | Details |
Functional chemical reprogramming of cancer cells to induce antitumor immunityThe RESYNC consortium aims to revolutionize cancer immunotherapy by reprogramming cancer cells into antigen-presenting dendritic cells using small molecules for personalized and safer treatments. | EIC Pathfinder | € 2.966.695 | 2024 | Details |
Polyclonal anti-tumor immunity by engineered human T cells
This project aims to enhance adoptive T cell therapies for solid tumors by engineering TCR sensitivity and safety, creating robust, antigen-agnostic immune responses to improve patient outcomes.
Developing novel single-cell technologies to model and perturb intra-tumor interactions and signaling – an innovation program for the next generation of immunotherapies
The TROJAN-Cell project aims to engineer immune responses against tumors by understanding immune-suppressive mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment using advanced single-cell technologies.
Neoantigen Identification with Dendritic Cell Reprogramming
The NeoIDC project aims to revolutionize cancer immunotherapy by using cDC1 reprogramming to identify immunogenic neoantigens and TCRs for developing effective vaccines and adoptive T cell therapies.
Functional chemical reprogramming of cancer cells to induce antitumor immunity
The RESYNC consortium aims to revolutionize cancer immunotherapy by reprogramming cancer cells into antigen-presenting dendritic cells using small molecules for personalized and safer treatments.