VERAXA Biotech AG (NASDAQ: VRXA), an emerging leader in designing novel cancer therapies, has initiated cell line development for its lead BiTAC(R) T-cell engager (BiTAC(R)-TCE) program, advancing the candidate toward IND/CTA-enabling studies. The company announced that it has selected ATUM, a U.S.-based contract research organization specializing in bioengineering and cell line development, to generate stable clonal cell lines using its proprietary Leap-In Transposase(R) technology.
According to VERAXA, the collaboration will support manufacturing, analytical development, and nonclinical studies required before clinical testing. This partnership represents an important development milestone for the company’s most advanced oncology candidate. VERAXA’s BiTAC(R) platform is designed to improve the selectivity of T-cell engagers, potentially reducing toxicity associated with conventional approaches. The company recently expanded its research facilities in Heidelberg, Germany, increasing laboratory capacity as multiple oncology programs move toward clinical development.
The selection of ATUM underscores VERAXA’s commitment to advancing its pipeline through strategic collaborations. ATUM’s Leap-In Transposase(R) technology enables efficient and stable integration of genetic material into host cells, facilitating the generation of high-yield, stable cell lines for biotherapeutic production. This step is critical for producing sufficient quantities of the therapeutic candidate for toxicology studies and early-stage clinical trials.
VERAXA’s lead BiTAC(R)-TCE program targets solid tumors and aims to harness the immune system more precisely than conventional bispecific T-cell engagers. By improving selectivity, the platform could reduce off-tumor toxicity, a major challenge in T-cell engager therapy. The advancement of this program into cell line development brings it closer to clinical evaluation, offering hope for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.
Investors can find the latest news and updates relating to VRXA in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/VRXA.
