Ucl Business Plc

Glaxosmithkline Intellectual Property Development Limited

Autolus Limited

Kwee L Yong

Lydia Lee

Martin Pulé

Ben Draper

Neil Chaplin

Patrick A Mayes

William E Fieles

Lee McCahon

Katherine (Nee Sully) Nevin

Danton Bounds

Fiona M Germaschewski

Jennifer Paterson

Manuel Rodriguez-Justo

Gaelle Herledan

Laura M Seestaller-Wehr

Jenny L Craigen

James Tunstead

The present invention provides a bi-specific molecule which comprises: (i) a first domain which binds B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and comprises at least part of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL); and (ii) a second domain capable of activating a T cell. The invention also provides the use of such a molecule in the treatment of plasma-cell mediated diseases, such as multiple myeloma.

Bi-specific T-cell engager specific for BCMA

Methods are provided for determining prognosis of multiple myeloma in a patient by measuring expression of BCMA in a sample. Also provided are methods for treating multiple myeloma by measuring expression of BCMA in a sample and administering an effective amount of an antigen binding protein that binds BCMA. Also provided are kits for measuring BCMA expression in a sample.

Prognostic method

The present invention provides a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) comprising; (i) a B cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-binding domain which comprises at least part of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL); (ii) a spacer domain (iii) a transmembrane domain; and (iv) an intracellular T cell signaling domain. The invention also provides the use of such a T-cell expressing such a CAR in the treatment of plasma-cell mediated diseases, such as multiple myeloma.

Chimeric antigen receptor

The present invention provides a variant proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) which has a higher binding affinity to BCMA than wild-type APRIL; and/or altered binding kinetics compared with wild-type APRIL, and/or a higher BCMA:TACI (transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor) binding ratio than wild-type APRIL and which comprises mutations at one or more of the following positions: A125, V174, T175, M200, P201, S202, H203, D205 and R206.

April variants

The present invention provides a variant proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), which has a higher binding affinity to BCMA than wild-type APRIL; and/or altered binding kinetics compared with wild-type APRIL, and/or a higher BCMA:TACI (transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor) binding ratio than wild-type APRIL and which comprises mutations at one or more of the following positions: A125, V174, T175, M200, P201, S202, H203, D205 and R206.

Ligand

The present invention provides a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) comprising: (i) a B cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-binding domain which comprises at least part of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL); (ii) a spacer domain (iii) a transmembrane domain; and (iv) an intracellular T cell signaling domain. The invention also provides the use of such a T-cell expressing such a CAR in the treatment of plasma-cell mediated diseases, such as multiple myeloma.

Growing community of inventors

London, United Kingdom

Kwee L Yong