Revolutionizing CAR T-cell Therapy with a Universal CAR-Enhancer Platform
Official title: Revolutionizing CAR T-cell Therapy: Enhancing Activity and Persistence of CAR T-cell by Developing a CAR-Enhancer Platform
Funded at Koi Biotherapeutics INC. · NIH-11391052 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach aims to make CAR T-cell therapy work longer and better for blood cancers by using a universally compatible CAR-Enhancer that helps CAR T-cells persist and fight longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Koi Biotherapeutics INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, United States) |
| Project start | August 12, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $703,565 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA298774-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391052 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with B-cell malignancies (e.g., multiple myeloma or other CD19/BCMA-targeted cancers) eligible for CAR T-cell treatment and able to participate in a Phase I trial.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not eligible for CAR T-cell therapy or unable to participate in early-phase trials may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops a CAR-Enhancer platform designed to boost the durability and activity of CAR T-cells without needing to customize each CAR T product. The plan moves from preclinical data toward a Phase I trial to optimize dosing and timing of the enhancer alongside CAR T-cell therapy. By promoting the development of memory CAR T-cells, the platform seeks to improve lasting responses in diseases like multiple myeloma and other B-cell malignancies. If successful, this could broaden applicability and enhance outcomes for patients who relapse after existing CAR T-cell treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience longer-lasting remissions and improved survival with a more universally applicable CAR T-cell therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data show promising enhancement of CAR T-cell persistence, with early indications that memory-like CAR T-cells can improve durability.
Where this research is happening
-
Koi Biotherapeutics INC.
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mahini, Hamid — Koi Biotherapeutics INC.
- Study coordinator: Mahini, Hamid
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.