TC BioPharm, a clinical stage biotechnology company developing platform allogeneic gamma-delta T cell therapies for cancer and other indications, today announced that it intends to begin Proof of Concept preclinical studies for its lead therapeutic TCB 008, for treatment in monkey pox.
TCB008 is an allogeneic unmodified cell therapy that is made up of activated and expanded gamma delta T (GDT) cells which the company expects will have applications in treating the global health emergency. Due to the highly infectious nature of monkeypox, TCBP expects to partner with a leading Infectious Disease Center or University associated with a similar organization to rapidly advance the Proof-of-Concept and pre-clinical studies.
“There are a number of academic papers highlighting a successful immune response to viral infection being heavily reliant on the presence of gamma delta t-cells,” commented CEO Bryan Kobel. “We continue to look at avenues to expand the therapeutic applications for TCB008 and moving into rapid response for aggressive viral infections is an arena we believe our therapeutic can be immediately impactful. The ability to deliver a frozen/thawed product to these patients to prevent not just the death or extended viral infection in these patients, but also potentially slow the spread of the infectious disease and contain the issue from becoming a global pandemic, would represent a massive global opportunity and market size. We look forward to updating investors as we further this program.”
Mpox (monkeypox) is a viral illness caused by a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. Two different clades exist: clade I and clade II. Common symptoms of the virus are a skin rash or mucosal lesions which can last 2–4 weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. The disease can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals. In 2022–2023 a global outbreak of mpox was caused by a strain known as clade IIb.
