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Unum Therapeutics Implements Strategic Restructuring to Prioritize Efforts on BOXR1030 for the Treatment of Solid Tumor Cancers
BOXR1030 is a GPC3-targeted CAR T cell incorporating the novel GOT2 transgene designed to improve T cell function in the solid tumor microenvironment by
About this update from Cogent Biosciences, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"BOXR1030 is a GPC3-targeted CAR T cell incorporating the novel GOT2 transgene designed to improve T cell function in the solid tumor microenvironment by enhancing T cell metabolism\n Investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies are underway for BOXR1030 with plans to submit an application to the FDA in late 2020 Unum concludes its Phase 1 ACTR707 programs and reduces workforce to focus solely on BOXR1030 CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unum Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: UMRX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing curative cell therapies for solid tumors, today announced plans to prioritize resources towards advancing its preclinical program, BOXR1030, for the treatment of solid tumor cancers. Unum’s BOXR1030 expresses a glypican-3 (GPC3) targeted CAR and incorporates the novel transgene glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase 2 (GOT2) to improve T cell function in the solid tumor microenvironment by enhancing T cell metabolism. Unum has initiated formal preclinical development activities, including preclinical safety testing and GMP process development, to support filing an IND application for BOXR1030 in late 2020. As part of this effort, and to conserve resources for BOXR1030, Unum is concluding its ACTR707 clinical trials, including the Phase 1 trial (ATTCK-20-03) in combination with rituximab in relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma and the Phase 1 trial (ATTCK-34-01) in combination with trastuzumab to treat advanced HER2+ solid tumor cancers. In addition, the company plans to reduce its current workforce by 43 employees (approximately 60 percent) to focus efforts on the BOXR1030 program. Unum also announced today that its Chief Scientific Officer, Seth Ettenberg, Ph.D., has resigned after five years of service to the company. Unum expects to continue to leverage its BOXR discovery platform, potentially in collaboration with partners, to create and develop new BOXR product candidates to address a broad range of solid tumor cancers. “Following a detailed review of our operations, opportunities, and cash reserves, we believe the decisions announced today are in the best interests of all Unum stakeholders, including patients, clinicians, employees and shareholders,” said Chuck Wilson, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Unum Therapeutics. “We remain committed to addressing the challeng...