Coeptis to collaborate with the University of Pittsburgh to expand pre-clinical
development of SNAP-CAR T cells targeting HER2-positive
cancers
WEXFORD,
Pa., Jan. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Coeptis
Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: COEP) ("Coeptis" or "the
Company"), a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative cell
therapy platforms for cancer, today announced a sponsored research
agreement with the University of
Pittsburgh to advance pre-clinical development of SNAP-CAR T
cells targeting HER2 as well as identify opportunities to expand
the applicability of SNAP-CAR in oncology. SNAP-CAR, which
Coeptis licensed from the University of
Pittsburgh, is a multi-antigen chimeric antigen receptor T
cell (CAR T) technology that can be adapted to different cancer
indications, including hematologic and solid tumors.
Under the terms of the sponsor research agreement, the
University of Pittsburgh will conduct
pre-clinical research on the SNAP-CAR technology necessary to
enable the filing of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application
for clinical trials involving SNAP-CAR T cells targeting
HER2-positive cancers. Specifically, researchers at the
University of Pittsburgh, led by
principal investigator, Jason
Lohmueller, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery and
Immunology in the Division of Surgical Oncology Research, and
Alexander Deiters, Ph.D., Professor
of Chemistry, will work in coordination with Coeptis' CRO partner,
IQVIA, to develop a treatment strategy for ovarian cancer (or other
solid tumors) in animals and identify a lead candidate for
first-in-human clinical development. HER2 is a
tumor-associated antigen (TAA) that is overexpressed in
approximately 28%1 of ovarian cancer tissues and
25% of patients with breast cancer2.
"We are very excited to continue our work with the University of Pittsburgh to advance the development
of SNAP-CAR towards a potential first indication: HER2-expressing
ovarian cancer," said Dave Mehalick,
President and CEO of Coeptis Therapeutics Holdings. "If successful,
this could represent a potential breakthrough in the treatment of
HER2-positive cancers and the applicability of CAR T to treat a
range of solid tumors, including ovarian and breast cancer, as well
as hematologic cancers. We look forward to working with Dr.
Lohmueller, Dr. Deiters, and the research team at the University of Pittsburgh, as well as IQVIA, to
prioritize the initial target indication for advancing SNAP-CAR
through the IND process and into the clinic."
"Current CAR T therapies are designed to target specific tumor
antigens that correspond to a specific cancer indication. This
approach has proven effective in certain cancer types but limits
the applicability of those CAR T therapies," said Dr. Lohmueller.
"SNAP-CAR has been designed as a 'universal' CAR T cell
therapy platform that can be adapted to different tumor antigens
and cancer indications. We are eager to work with the teams at
Coeptis and IQVIA to begin the pre-clinical development of a
potential lead candidate targeting HER2-positive ovarian cancer, as
well as optimizing the platform to increase its value
potential."
About SNAP-CAR
SNAP-CAR, which Coeptis Therapeutics licensed from the
University of Pittsburgh, is designed
to be a "universal" CAR T cell therapy platform that can be adapted
to different cancer indications. Instead of directly binding to a
target on the tumor cell, CAR T cells are co-administered with one
or more antibody adaptors that bind to the tumor cells and are
fitted with a chemical group that irreversibly connects them to the
SNAP-CAR on the therapeutic cells via a covalent bond. Pre-clinical
studies in mice have demonstrated that by targeting tumors via
antibody adaptor molecules, the SNAP-CAR therapy provides a highly
programmable therapeutic platform.
About Coeptis Therapeutics
Holdings, Inc.
Coeptis Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., together with its
subsidiaries including Coeptis Therapeutics,
Inc. and Coeptis Pharmaceuticals,
Inc., (collectively "Coeptis"), is a biopharmaceutical
company developing innovative cell therapy platforms for cancer
that have the potential to disrupt conventional treatment paradigms
and improve patient outcomes. Coeptis' product portfolio and rights
are highlighted by a universal, multi-antigen CAR T technology
licensed from the University of
Pittsburgh (SNAP-CAR), and a cell therapy technology
(CD38-GEAR-NK) and an in vitro diagnostic (CD38-Diagnostic)
targeting CD38-related cancers, which Coeptis is
developing with VyGen-Bio and leading medical researchers at
the Karolinska Institutet. Coeptis' business model is designed
around maximizing the value of its current product portfolio and
rights through in-license agreements, out-license agreements and
co-development relationships, as well as entering into strategic
partnerships to expand its product rights and offerings,
specifically those targeting cancer. The Company is headquartered
in Wexford, PA. For more information on Coeptis
visit https://coeptistx.com/.
About the University of
Pittsburgh
A nonsectarian, coeducational, state-related, public research
university founded in 1787, the University of
Pittsburgh (Pitt) is a member of
the prestigious by-invitation-only Association of American
Universities and internationally renowned as a leading center of
learning and research in the arts, sciences, humanities,
professions and health sciences. Comprising
a Pittsburgh campus, which is home to 16 undergraduate,
graduate and professional schools, and four Western
Pennsylvania regional campuses, Pitt offers nearly
500 distinct degree programs and confers more than 8,500 degrees
annually. Pitt has ranked among the top 10 recipients of
funding from the National Institutes of Health since 1998 and is
ranked among the top 10 American research universities nationally
in terms of total federal science and engineering research and
development obligations. For more information,
visit www.pitt.edu.
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Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and statements of our management made in
connection therewith contain or may contain "forward-looking
statements" (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
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and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ
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such differences include but are not limited to: (1) the inability
to maintain the listing of the Company's securities on the Nasdaq
Global Market following the business combination; (2) the risk that
the business combination disrupts current plans and operations of
Company as a result of the consummation of the business
combination; (3) the inability to recognize the anticipated
benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by,
among other things, competition, the ability of the Company to grow
and manage growth economically and hire and retain key employees;
(4) the risks that the Company's products in development fail
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Administration or other applicable regulatory authorities; (5)
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among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance
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Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings made or
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CONTACTS
Coeptis Therapeutics,
Inc.
Investors
Tiberend Strategic
Advisors, Inc.
Jon Nugent
205-566-3026
jnugent@tiberend.com
Media
David Schemelia
609-468-9325
dschemelia@tiberend.com
[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/6603581
[2]
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41523-020-0153-3
SOURCE Coeptis Therapeutics