Chimeric Therapeutics, announced that the first patient has been dosed in the CHM 0201 (CORE NK) + Vactosertib clinical trial, the first ever trial to assess NK cells in combination with Vactosertib in patients with advanced colorectal and blood cancers. The CHM 0201 (CORE NK) platform is a potential best in class NK cell platform of ex-vivo expanded non HLA-matched universal donor NK cells. The platform was previously studied in a phase 1 clinical trial that established safety with no GvHD (Graft versus Host Disease), 28-day NK cell persistence and an encouraging early efficacy signal, particularly in blood cancers where all patients achieved disease control and one patient achieved a complete response that was sustained for over 15 months at time of study publication.

The objective of this new Phase 1B study is to build upon the clinical responses seen in the initial CORE NK Phase 1A clinical trial by adding Vactosertib, an oral TGF- receptor inhibitor that can potentially disrupt the TGF- signaling pathway. This new trial is being led by UH Seidman oncologist J. Eva Selfridge, MD, PhD, and Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Ohio and is designed to treat 12 patients with either locally advanced/metastatic colorectal cancer or relapsed/refractory blood cancers. The Phase 1B trial is currently funded without financial support from Chimeric Therapeutics.