[Licensing negotiation in progress]
[Invitation for Expression of Interest- Deadline: 6 December 2018]
We are inviting expressions of interest (EoI) for commercializing “Genetic Engineering a TGF-beta Tolerant human NK Cells for treatment of cancer” technology. The innovation is developed by Professor LAN Hui Yao, Professor of Department of Medicine & Therapeutics of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK Reference: 16/MED/744).
The Technology
TGF-beta/Smad3 signaling is a key promoter responsible for a rapidly progressive cancer in the established tumor. We recently found that genetic deletion of Smad3 or pharmacological inhibition of Smad3, a key signaling molecule and transcriptional factor of TGF-beta signaling, can protect against the lethal invasion of cancer by increasing NK cell production and their cancer-killing activities, revealing Smad3 as a determining factor for cancer progression and as a novel therapeutic target on tumor. In this invention, we engineered a stable Smad3-knockdown human NK cells (NK92-S3KD) using the cell line NK-92 by transducing a lentivirus containing Smad3-shRNA sequence. Disruption of Smad3 largely inhibited the TGF-β1-induced suppressive effect on cancer-killing activities of NK-92 cells against human invasive hepatoma HepG2 and melanoma A375 cells in vitro. The therapeutic potential of NK92-S3KD for cancer was further confirmed in vivo on two tumor models in HepG2 hepatoma and melanoma A375 tumor-bearing NK-deficient NOD/SCID mice. Adoptive transfer of NK-92-S3KD cells largely suppressed both tumor growth when compared to the mice received empty vector control NK-92 (NK-92-EV) cells, demonstrating enhanced therapeutic effect on human cancer by using the engineered NK92-S3KD cells. Increased NK cell derived cytokines such as IFN-γ, granzyme B, perforin, and GM-CSF in tumor microenvironments were the underlying mechanisms of enhanced anticancer immunity of NK92-S3KD NK cells. Thus, this invention has successfully developed a genetically engineered human NK cell line NK92-S3KD to effectively promote the anti-cancer immunity of NK cells in the tumor-friendly microenvironment.
Commercialization
The technology is now available for licensing on an exclusive basis. In order to fully realize the benefit of the technology, we expect substantial investment is necessary to enable further research and development. In addition to the financial commitment, the licensee is expected to have the appropriate expertise as well as plans in marketing and strategizing the end product to ensure successful transfer of the technology to the society. Previous or existing business involvement and experience in this area is a plus.
This invitation of expression of interest is without prejudice. We also stress that this invitation is not a tender, and the University is not bound to accept any offer, or to accept the highest monetary offer, as there are additional considerations (such as the widest possible benefit to the community) that we, as a public institution, will need to take into consideration.
