Exothera to Develop and Manufacture Asgard Therapeutics’ AT-108 Gene Therapy

• Asgard Therapeutics has selected Exothera for the process development and clinical Phases I/II manufacturing of its candidate AT-108.

• AT-108 is a first-in-class gene therapy that reprograms cancer cells to trigger personalized anti-cancer immune responses.

Asgard Therapeutics, a biotech company specialising in in vivo direct cell reprogramming for cancer immunotherapy, has announced its selection of Exothera S.A. for the process development and clinical Phases I/II manufacturing of its candidate AT-108. The candidate is based on viral vector technology.

AT-108 is a unique, off-the-shelf gene therapy that triggers personalised and potent anti-cancer immune responses. The therapy works by reprogramming cancer cells within the patient’s body to become conventional Type 1 Dendritic Cells (cDC1s). These are a rare subset of immune cells that are critical for effective anti-tumour immunity. The induced cDC1s present the individual’s specific cancer antigens to the immune system, thereby triggering personalised and systemic anti-cancer immune responses.

Exothera will be responsible for the development and scale-up of a manufacturing process for AT-108. This includes the development of analytical methods, GMP-grade material production, and aseptic filling. Exothera provides a full-service model for viral vector-based biotherapeutics, backed by state-of-the-art technologies and one of the largest viral vector facilities in Europe.

Cristiana Pires, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Asgard Therapeutics, expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership: “Following our proof-of-concept studies supporting the lead candidate AT-108, we are very happy to reach process development phase and start CMC activities. We are looking forward to working with the very knowledgeable and skilled technical team at Exothera to progress our pioneering AT-108 towards clinical development.”

Hanna Lesch, Chief Technology Officer at Exothera, also shared her thoughts: “We are proud to support Asgard Therapeutics in bringing these revolutionary therapeutics closer to the patients. Over the years we gained extensive experience with virus-based therapeutics production – both in suspension and in fixed bed bioreactors – and we are confident that we will use this expertise to help Asgard Therapeutics achieve clinical phase success.”