Melbourne, Australia
Cell Therapies has executed its first manufacturing work order with AdAlta for their lead CAR-T program, BZDS1901, advancing the program toward Australian Phase 1 clinical trials.
BZDS1901 is a first in class CAR-T therapy targeting mesothelioma, with encouraging early clinical data reported from studies conducted in China.
A rare and meaningful clinical result in a difficult cancer
Mesothelioma is a rare but rapidly fatal cancer of the membranes surrounding lungs, heart and gastrointestinal organs that is usually linked to asbestos exposure.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma today are typically treated with surgery if possible, and then initial or first line drug treatments are chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Current first-line treatments typically deliver:
- Tumour shrinkage (Overall Response) in only 40-44% of patients
- Complete tumour clearance (Complete Response) is rare and seen in less than 3% of patients
- Median survival (at which point 50% of patients will have died) often only 14-18 months, with tumours beginning to grow again typically after only 7 months
BZDS1901: Promising results from Chinese clinical studies
BZDS1901 has already demonstrated multiple tumour responses including two cases of complete tumour clearance (Complete Response, CR) in patients with advanced mesothelioma. These responses have been seen in patients whose cancer had previously progressed after both chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
For patients with relapsed mesothelioma, a Complete Response is exceptionally uncommon. In one BZDS1901-treated patient, tumours became undetectable after treatment and patient remains alive 22 months after treatment, with no tumour recurrence reported to date.
AdAlta CEO, Dr Tim Oldham said: “BZDS1901 has already delivered the type of outcome every cancer therapy aims for, but few achieve in advanced mesothelioma – complete tumour clearance in patients who had exhausted prior options.”
Why manufacturing matters so much
Successfully transferring and optimising BZDS1901 manufacturing in Australia is a significant milestone because it:
• Supports planned Australian clinical trials
• Demonstrates the process can be replicated outside China
• Provides confidence in global scalability
• Reduces future supply chain and regulatory risk
• Increases attractiveness to larger pharmaceutical partners evaluating licensing or acquisition opportunities
Cell Therapies is pleased to support AdAlta’s ‘East to West’ strategy, which seeks to acquire promising Asian-developed cell therapies and advance them into global markets.
Read AdAlta’s full Press Release here: https://investorhub.adalta.com.au/announcements/7512639
For further information please contact [email protected]
