AvenCell

AvenCell Therapeutics is a clinical-stage cell therapy company focused on developing switchable CAR-T cell therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. The company's proprietary Universal Targeting platform allows for precise control of CAR-T cell activity through a two-component system - engineered T cells with a universal receptor that are activated only when bound to a separately administered targeting module. This enables the CAR-T cells to be turned "on" and "off" after infusion into patients, providing flexibility to manage potential adverse events.

AvenCell's lead programs target CD123, which is expressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other hematological malignancies. The company's pipeline includes AVC-101, an autologous switchable CAR-T therapy, and AVC-201, a CRISPR-engineered allogeneic switchable CAR-T therapy. Both are being evaluated in clinical trials for relapsed/refractory AML. In a Phase I study of AVC-101, 31% of treated patients achieved complete response with incomplete count recovery as of October 2022. AVC-201 entered clinical testing in February 2024, with the first patient dosed in a Phase IA study.

The company utilizes CRISPR gene editing technology licensed from Intellia Therapeutics to engineer its allogeneic CAR-T cells to avoid rejection by the host immune system. This approach aims to create an "off-the-shelf" cell therapy product that can be manufactured at scale and made readily available to patients. AvenCell is also developing additional pipeline candidates for other hematological malignancies and solid tumors that are expected to enter clinical trials in the coming years.

Key customers and partnerships

AvenCell was launched in 2021 through a collaboration between Blackstone Life Sciences, Cellex Cell Professionals, and Intellia Therapeutics. The company incorporated the clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company GEMoaB GmbH as part of its formation. In October 2024, AvenCell raised USD 112 million in Series B financing led by Novo Holdings, with participation from new investors F-Prime Capital, Eight Roads Ventures Japan, Piper Heartland healthcare Capital, and NYBC Ventures. This funding will support ongoing clinical development of the company's cell therapy platform and pipeline. AvenCell conducts clinical trials at multiple sites in Germany and the Netherlands, collaborating with academic medical centers like the National Cancer Center Dresden.