SCIENCE
The right
activation
of the right
T cells.
An important biological discovery expands horizons for T cell immunity
Driven by a deep understanding of TCR biology, Marengo scientists discovered a unique approach to selectively targeting and activating subsets of T cells present in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) of solid tumors. Unlike other T cell engagers, Marengo’s Vβ chain-targeting constructs promote the expansion of a new population of memory Vβ T cells that reinvigorate a potent and durable immune response to tumors.
Targeting Vβ T cell subsets with broad therapeutic opportunities
Through the use of cutting-edge genomics and analysis of complex human TCR sequencing datasets, Marengo’s scientific team continue to uncover associations between Vβ T cell subsets and diseases, including specific cancers, autoimmune and infectious diseases. Our versatile antibody technology platform allows us to deploy different technologies to modulate these Vβ T cell subsets in different ways to support the rapid development of clinic-ready therapeutics for a range of clinically important diseases.
Two oncology platforms cover a broad range of cancers both “HOT” and “COLD”
Our STAR bi-functional molecules pair our first-in-class anti-Vβ antibodies with various T cell costimulatory signals into a single, dual T cell activator molecule that delivers a dual boost to T cells to reinvigorate the anti-tumor immune response to T cell-infiltrated “hot” tumors. To harness the power of our Vβ T cells for the treatment of immunologically “cold” tumors, Marengo has developed a new class of T cell engager (TCE), our TriSTAR platform, that simultaneously achieves selective expansion and tumor-targeting of Vβ T cells to promote more potent and durable anti-tumor activity than canonical anti-CD3 TCEs in refractory tumors.
1 Potent Efficacy
- Potent single-agent antitumor activity
- Rapid expansion of activated CD8 + CD4 Vβ T cells (< 5 days)
- Central memory reprogramming results in non-exhausted tumor infiltrating T cells
2 Durable Memory
- Memory effector Vβ T cells drive long-term durability / tumor immunity
3 Improved Safety
- Vβ variant activates <10% of the T cell compartment
- Less pro-inflammatory cytokines
- Regulatory T cells unaffected
1 Potent Efficacy
- Potent single-agent antitumor activity
- Rapid expansion of activated CD8 + CD4 Vβ T cells (< 5 days)
- Central memory reprogramming results in non-exhausted tumor infiltrating T cells
2 Durable Memory
- Memory effector Vβ T cells drive long-term durability / tumor immunity
3 Improved Safety
- Vβ variant activates <10% of the T cell compartment
- Less pro-inflammatory cytokines
- Regulatory T cells unaffected
HOT TUMORS
STAR Platform delivers a dual boost to endogenous Vβ T cells to tackle cancer
Marengo’s STAR platform activates T cell subsets consistently enriched in TILs through co-stimulation of the TCR and a secondary signal. Our technology allows us to develop pan-tumor immunotherapies by expanding tumor-specific Vβ T cells in antigen-rich or “hot” tumors.
COLD TUMORS
TriSTAR Platform retargets boosted Vβ T cells to “cold” tumors
Our TriSTAR platform was developed to redirect better T cells to antigen-low or “cold” tumors with superior anti-tumor activity. TriSTAR offers a targeted therapeutic approach with a differentiated mechanism of action in which we expand and traffic memory Vβ T cells directly to tumors.
