Pipeline

CYAD-101 is an investigational, non-gene edited allogeneic (from healthy donor derived) CAR T candidate engineered to co-express the chimeric antigen receptor based on NKG2D, a receptor expressed on natural killer (NK) cells that binds to eight stress-induced ligands (NKG2DL) expressed by a broad range of tumor cells and the novel inhibitory peptide TIM (TCR Inhibitory Molecule). The expression of TIM reduces signaling of the TCR complex by interfering with the CD3ζ component of the TCR complex.

Celyad Oncology plans to initiate the KEYNOTE-B79 trial to evaluate CYAD-101 with Merck’s anti-PD­1 therapy, KEYTRUDA®️ (pembrolizumab), in refractory mCRC patients with microsatellite stable / mismatch-repair proficient disease during the fourth quarter of 2021.

CYAD-203 is a preclinical, non-gene edited allogeneic CAR T candidate and our first armored CAR T candidate engineered to co-express the cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18) with the NKG2D CAR receptor. IL-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine that directly potentiates the anti-cancer activity of CAR T cells while also altering the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cells within tumor tissue.

CYAD-203 is currently being evaluated in Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies and submission of the IND application for treatment of solid tumors is expected in mid-2022

CYAD-211 is a short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-based allogeneic CAR T candidate for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (r/r MM). CYAD-211 is engineered to co-express a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) chimeric antigen receptor and a single shRNA hairpin which interferes with the expression of the CD3ζ component of the TCR complex.

CYAD-211 is currently being evaluated, following Cyflu chemotherapy, in the Phase 1 IMMUNICY-1 trial for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

CYAD-02 is an investigational CAR T therapy that engineers an all-in-one vector approach in patient’s T cells to express both (i) the NKG2D chimeric antigen receptor, a receptor expressed on natural killer (NK) cells that binds to eight stress-induced ligands (NKG2DL) expressed on tumor cells, and (ii) short hairpin RNA (shRNA) technology to knockdown the expression of NKG2D ligands MICA and MICB on the CAR T cells. In preclinical models, shRNA-mediated knockdown of MICA and MICB expression on NKG2D CAR T cells has shown enhanced in vitro expansion, as well as enhanced in vivo engraftment and persistence, of the CAR T cells, as compared to first-generation NKG2D-based CAR T cells.

In January 2020, the Company announced enrollment had begun in the Phase 1 dose-escalation CYCLE-1 trial evaluating the next-generation NKG2D-based CAR T candidate for the treatment of r/r AML/MDS. The CYCLE-1 trial will evaluate the safety and clinical activity of a single infusion of CYAD-02 produced with the OptimAb manufacturing process following preconditioning chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and fludarabine.