Chimeric Therapeutics: Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment with Innovative Cell Therapies

Cancer is undoubtedly one of the deadliest diseases our generation is witnessing today. According to WHO, it is the second leading cause of death globally. Although there has been continuous research on cancer treatments across the globe, the number of patients losing their lives due to cancer does not seem to reduce in the same proportion. The primary reason behind this is that traditional drug development focuses more on delaying the disease progression in cancer rather than finding a cure.

Amid the plethora of companies providing traditional drug development, a company like Chimeric Therapeutics is distinguishing itself by serving cancer patients with novel cell therapies. Listed on the ASX in early 2021, Chimeric Therapeutics is recognized as a pioneer in cell therapy treatment and is the leading cell therapy company on the ASX. The Australian-based company is Chaired by Paul Hopper (Founder ) and the CEO is ex-Kite senior executive, Jennifer Chow.

The team of Content Atwork had the opportunity to engage in a fascinating conversation with Paul, in which he shed light upon Chimeric Therapeutics’ establishment journey as well as the innovative services and solutions offered by the company. Here are some excerpts from the conversation:

Could you please walk us through the establishment journey of the company?

I formed the Company around CAR T technology developed at the City of Hope Cancer Centre in California where we are now progressing a Phase 1 clinical trial in glioblastoma.

Since listing on the ASX we have increased the technology pipeline with acquisitions from the University of Pennsylvania and Case Western University Our mission is more ambitious than delaying disease progression in cancer. We believe that novel cell therapies have the promise to cure cancer. Our mission is to bring that promise to life for more patients with cancer by discovering, developing, and commercializing cell therapies with the most curative potential.

What are the prominent services/solutions offered by the company?

Chimeric is the leader in cell therapy on the ASX (Australian Securities Exchange). We believe that we can change the course of history for more patients with cancer. Our oncology pipeline includes,

CHM 1101 (CLTX CAR T) is a novel and promising CAR T therapy developed by scientists at the City of Hope Medical Centre in California for the treatment of patients with solid tumors. CHM 1101 is currently being studied in phase 1 clinical trial in recurrent/progressive glioblastoma. A second CLTX CAR T phase 1 clinical trial is planned to begin in 2022 in additional solid tumors.
CHM 2101 (CDH17 CAR T) is a novel, 3^rd generation CDH17 CAR T invented at the University of Pennsylvania. CHM 2101 (CDH17 CAR T) is currently in preclinical development with a planned phase 1 clinical trial in 2022 in Neuroendocrine Tumors, Colorectal, Pancreatic, and Gastric Cancer.
CORE-NK platform, a clinically validated, Off-the-shelf, Robust, Enhanced Natural Killer cell platform from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). It is a transformative platform technology enabling the accelerated development of multiple next-generation off-the-shelf NK and CAR-NK products. The CORE-NK platform was studied in phase 1 clinical trial completed in June 2021 in both solid tumors and blood cancers. The platform will see four new Chimeric assets initiate development in early 2022, leveraging the company’s existing portfolio of CARs. Initial clinical trials are planned to begin in 2023 in blood cancers and solid tumors. Additional opportunity for further development of the platform exists through partnerships and/or internal development.

What are the core values that drive the company towards growth and success?

Our company is mainly built around five core values which include,

Relentless Patient Focus
Uncompromising Integrity
Innovation with Purpose
Drive for Performance
Community of Collaboration

What are your primary responsibilities as the Executive Chairman? Also, please mention some of the notable highlights throughout your eminent career.

At the helm of the company, I serve as the Founder and Executive Chairman. I have been behind a number of successful biotech companies, both in America and Australia. I am well-known for Viraltyics which was acquired by Merck in 2018 for $500 million. My other ventures include a $3 billion company Imugene (ASX: IMU) and Radiopharm Theranostics (ASX: RAD) which was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in November 2021.

I founded Radiopharm Theranostics based on four novel radiopharmaceutical technologies from leading European and US institutions, and which has the ambition of becoming a recognized leader in the development of radiopharmaceutical products for both diagnostic and therapeutic uses in areas of high unmet medical needs,

Please brief us about your team. How do you ensure recruiting the best talent?

Chimeric Therapeutics is led by a team of cell therapy pioneers and experts who are committed to bringing the promise of cell therapy to life for more patients with cancer. The team , led so ably by our CEO Jennifer Chow, have worked on four of the five approved CAR T druhs globally. Their collective experience in cell therapy development and commercialization makes Chimeric uniquely positioned to translate innovative science into curative therapies for patients. Our Scientific Advisory Boards connect us with world leaders and keep us up to date and relevant in the industry.

I always tell my wife I am surrounded by geniuses and everyday is such a privilege working and learning from the best minds in the life sciences/biotechnology space. When I search for my team, I look for people with deep experience and connections in the field and those who have taken drugs from bench-to-bedside or had significant success to date in clinical trials.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect Chimeric Therapeutics? What was the mantra that helped you sustain the impact of the pandemic?

We have been very fortunate in that we have not been greatly affected by COVID. Apart from limitations on travel to conferences or team meetings, our work has continued in a business as usual fashion. Our mantra is our mission and this is what drives our entire team through any situation—“Our mission is to bring that promise to life for more patients with cancer by discovering, developing, and commercializing cell therapies with the most curative potential.”

What are the upcoming services/solutions we can anticipate from Chimeric Therapeutics in the near future?

We have just announced the transformative portfolio expansion of the CORE-NK platform—a clinically validated, off-the-shelf natural killer cell platform. This platform will triple our current portfolio by enabling us to accelerate the development of multiple new NK cell assets that work in perfect synergy with our existing pipeline. This is going to be a very interesting space in life sciences to keep an eye on.