Melbourne, Australia
The first clinical dose of PMCC-COE19, developed by Peter Mac and manufactured by Cell Therapies, has now been administered to the first patient in a Phase I clinical trial at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
The first‑in‑human PLATYPS trial represents a major milestone for Cell Therapies. All clinical material for the study is being manufactured onsite in Cell Therapies’ specialised clean‑room suites, co‑located with Peter Mac to enable seamless translation from research to clinic.
PMCC‑COE19 is being evaluated in patients with CD19‑expressing blood cancers who are no longer responding to standard treatments and are ineligible for existing CAR T‑cell options. Participants will receive a single infusion of the therapy and will be closely monitored for safety and treatment response. The first of 12 planned patients has now been treated, with preparations underway for the next enrolments.
Cell Therapies CEO Dr Bev Menner says: “Our team is delighted to see the initiation of this first clinical trial based on an in-house product from the Centre of Excellence in Cellular Immunotherapy, a novel IP accelerator platform”.
“Together, we are bringing research, clinical, and manufacturing expertise into one partnership to drive the translation and commercialisation of innovative Australian IP to the clinic, enabling patient access to therapies that have the potential to be truly game-changing.”
Centre of Excellence in Cellular Immunotherapy Director, Professor Simon Harrison, says: “For over a decade, Peter Mac has led the way in both the clinical application and regional manufacture of CAR T-cell therapy – a groundbreaking treatment that can save the lives of patients with aggressive blood cancers”.
“We are now proud to reach this critical milestone of treating the first patient with PMCC-COE19 – our own CAR T-cell therapy – and which, through the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) capabilities and highest quality standards of our manufacturing partners at Cell Therapies, can be manufactured within our building.
PMCC‑COE19 is part of a broader pipeline of locally developed CAR T‑cell therapies advancing through pre‑clinical and manufacturing development, with further candidates expected to enter clinical trials from 2026.
Cell Therapies remains committed to supporting world‑class Australian science and delivering high‑quality, locally manufactured cell‑based therapies to patients across the region.
Media Contacts
Cell Therapies Pty Ltd
Name: Dr Shrinidh Joshi, Head of Commercial Business Development
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +61 3 9492 4777
For further information please contact [email protected]
