ViroCell Biologics Delivers Novel Retroviral Vector to AvenCell Therapeutics for Allogeneic CAR-T Therapy

ViroCell Biologics, a viral vector Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), has entered a manufacturing collaboration with AvenCell Therapeutics Inc., delivering a novel retroviral vector for AvenCell’s investigational CD19/CD20 dual-targeted cell therapy, AVC-203. The therapy, designed for B cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases, is slated to enter a phase I clinical trial for relapsed/refractory B cell lymphoma in the second half of 2025.

AvenCell’s AVC-203 is an allogeneic, “off-the-shelf” CAR-T cell therapy engineered to mitigate graft-versus-host disease and graft rejection by host T and Natural Killer cells. The therapy incorporates AvenCell’s RevCAR receptor, enabling additional antigen targeting with in vivo “off/on” capability beyond CD19 and CD20, aiming for improved efficacy, immediate treatment availability, and reduced cost compared to existing CAR-T therapies.

ViroCell was selected for its expertise in high-yield vector production and ability to meet accelerated timelines. By integrating AvenCell’s acquired cell line into its GMP manufacturing process, ViroCell delivered the complex retroviral vector, supporting AvenCell’s clinical development timeline.

John W. Hadden II, CEO of ViroCell, said: “We are thrilled to partner with AvenCell and support their innovative allogeneic CAR-T therapy platform. I am proud of Team ViroCell’s accomplishments on the successful end-to-end delivery of this retroviral vector and accelerating a novel therapy into clinical development in an area of high unmet need. We look forward to continuing our work with AvenCell on their exciting platform.”

Andrew Schiermeier, Ph.D., CEO of AvenCell, stated: “We are delighted with ViroCell’s performance in process development and GMP manufacture of this complex retroviral vector. We selected ViroCell to support our platform because we knew that they could execute reliably in areas where other CDMOs can’t. The delivery of this retroviral vector for AVC-203 is proof that our trust in ViroCell was well placed.”