Sensei Biotherapeutics, Inc., an immuno-oncology company focused on the discovery and development of next-generation therapeutics for cancer patients, announced that it has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to expand the development of SNS-101, a conditionally active, pH-selective VISTA-blocking antibody.
Under the terms of the CRADA, Sensei will collaborate with the NCI Center for Immuno-Oncology Co-Directors, Jeffrey Schlom, Ph.D., and James Gulley, M.D., Ph.D., and conduct preclinical studies to assess the mechanism of action of SNS-101 in combination with novel therapeutic modalities. The goal of this collaborative effort between Sensei and the NCI is to further elucidate the role of VISTA in immune checkpoint resistance and expand the potential of SNS-101 as a combination therapy beyond anti-PD-1. Sensei expects to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for SNS-101 in or before April 2023 and the trial is expected to commence thereafter in 2023, pending regulatory clearance.
“We’re excited to collaborate with Dr. Schlom and Dr. Gulley, who have pioneered the use of novel immunotherapies for a range of human cancers and are recognized for their expertise in translating preclinical findings into first-in-human studies for multiple immunotherapy agents,” said Edward van der Horst, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Sensei Biotherapeutics. “We believe this collaboration has potential to increase the body of evidence that pH-selective VISTA inhibition can achieve a potentially differentiated efficacy and safety profile, expand the rationale for combining inhibition of VISTA with mechanisms beyond PD-1 inhibition, and help us build upon the current clinical development plan for SNS-101.”