Key points from article :
LIfT Bio has received a significant G-Rex® Grant aimed at enhancing their innovative cancer treatment strategy. The grant will enable LIfT Biosciences to utilize the G-Rex manufacturing platform, developed by Wilson Wolf, to produce their novel cell therapy, N-LIfT. This platform is designed to efficiently create Immunomodulatory Alpha Neutrophils (IMANs), a new type of myeloid cell that can penetrate solid tumour microenvironments and target cancer cells. IMANs are engineered to function independently of specific tumour antigens, making them a versatile tool for treating various solid tumours by both directly killing cancer cells and mobilizing the patient’s own immune response against the tumour.
As part of the initiative, LIfT will collaborate with ScaleReady to establish a fully closed and semi-automated G-Rex manufacturing process. This partnership is intended to streamline production for late-stage clinical trials and beyond, enhancing the scalability of their therapies. The G-Rex Grant Program, funded with $20 million, provides up to $300,000 for each awarded project, along with access to a consortium of experts and resources in cell and gene-modified therapy (CGT) development and manufacturing.
LIfT Biosciences, based in the UK and Ireland, is pioneering a first-of-its-kind approach to treating solid tumours by leveraging IMANs, which are derived from exceptional stem cells and enhanced through proprietary techniques. The company's goal is to work with pharmaceutical partners to develop a range of engineered CAR IMAN therapies, potentially transforming the landscape of cancer treatment and overcoming existing challenges of treatment resistance in solid tumours.
