Cancer Research UK, one of the world’s largest funders of cancer research, and NovalGen, a pioneering clinical stage immunology company, have signed an agreement to bring NovalGen’s next-generation T-cell engager, NVG-222, into a first-in-human clinical trial.

Under the agreement, Cancer Research UK’s Centre for Drug Development (CDD) will sponsor, design and deliver a Phase 1/2a clinical trial of NVG-222. NovalGen will be responsible for completing the Clinical Trial Authorisation (CTA)-enabling activities. Cancer Research Horizons, Cancer Research UK’s innovation arm, will manage the commercial relationship.

NVG-222 is a bispecific T-cell engager targeting ROR1 and CD3 that could be used to treat both blood cancers and solid tumours.

It is the first agent to use NovalGen’s proprietary AutoRegulation (AR) technology, designed to mitigate toxicity and improve the therapeutic index of T-cell engagers. This technology offers the potential for a paradigm shift in immuno-oncology therapies, delivering safer treatments for cancer patients without sacrificing therapeutic efficacy.

Lars Erwig, Director of the CDD, said: “We are looking forward to working with NovalGen to bring its lead asset into the clinic. At the Centre for Drug Development, we are always searching for promising new therapies that offer patients effective treatment while lowering the risks of toxicity.”

Professor Amit Nathwani, Founder and CEO of NovalGen, added: “We are thrilled to advance NVG-222, a first-in-class T-cell engager targeting ROR1, utilising NovalGen’s proprietary AutoRegulation platform, into the clinic. NVG-222 represents a new generation of self-regulating drugs designed to respond to biological signals, minimising the risk of life-threatening toxicities. Cancer Research UK is an ideal partner, given their global reputation and proven expertise in developing innovative cancer therapies. This partnership with Cancer Research UK accelerates the development of NVG-222, bringing us closer to transformative cancer treatment that is safe and highly effective. We look forward to a successful and impactful collaboration.”