ImmunoScape Inks MoU With US Cancer Centre, Secures Investment

KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- ImmunoScape Pte Ltd, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has announced the execution of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a premier National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the United States (US).

The partnership will fast-track ImmunoScape’s "Seed and Boost" platform into the clinic, with the company collaborating with the cancer centre to launch an investigator-initiated clinical trial targeting Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1)-positive solid tumours.

The trial will focus on four difficult-to-treat indications, namely ovarian, mesothelioma and other high-unmet-need solid tumours such as pancreatic and colorectal cancers. The study is scheduled to dose its first patients by September 2026.

According to a statement, the programme leverages ImmunoScape’s differentiated "Seed and Boost" strategy to address persistence and exhaustion challenges commonly seen in traditional cell therapies.

The "Seed" consists of autologous T-cells engineered with a high-affinity T-cell receptor (TCR) targeting the intracellular antigen WT1, while the "Boost" is a clinical-stage fusion protein that selectively expands and activates WT1-targeting T-cells in patients, mimicking the natural immune synapse while leaving other T-cells unaffected.

Concurrently, the company also announced a strategic investment from Leonardo DiCaprio, who said he hopes to play a small role in helping accelerate ImmunoScape’s development.

In addition, ImmunoScape scientists have been selected to present their research at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting in April 2026, highlighting growing scientific interest in the "Seed and Boost" mechanism.

-- BERNAMA