GI CELL, Inc. announced that it has entered into a research license and option agreement with Optieum Biotechnologies, Inc. (Japan).

Under the agreement, Optieum Biotechnologies will provide GI CELL with scFv antibodies directed against hematological tumor targets generated through Optieum Biotechnologies’ Eumbody System™. GI CELL will carry out feasibility studies and be responsible for further development and commercialization of the CAR-NK cell products if the company exercises an option. For each option exercised, Optieum Biotechnologies will be entitled to an option-exercise fee, development and commercial milestone payments, as well as single-digit royalties on sales.

“We are pleased to enter this collaboration with Optieum Biotechnologies as we continue unlocking the full potential of our NKPURE Expander® platform,” said Dr. Chun Pyo Hong, CEO of GI CELL. “We look forward to evaluating the scFv antibodies from Optieum Biotechnologies’ discovery platform, which have the potential to accelerate the development of our novel CAR-NK cells.”

“We have been dedicated to expanding the toolbox to enable immune cell-based therapies in cancer treatment, through our proprietary Eumbody System™. Optieum Biotechnologies’ strength in discovery of functional and improved scFvs in conjunction with GI CELL’s expertise in NK cell engineering and manufacturing may lead to a generation of promising cellular immunotherapy for unmet medical needs,” said Shun Nishioka, CEO of Optieum Biotechnologies.