Multiple myeloma is an incurable cancer that affects 30,000 additional Americans each year. Currently, combination therapy and autologous transplant remain the standard of care. However, all known treatments of multiple myeloma eventually fail, leading to relapsed disease.
DESCARTES-25 is the first off-the-shelf RNA Cell Therapy for cancer. The lead indication is multiple myeloma. DESCARTES-25 is designed to deliver two complementary antitumor proteins directly to the tumor: a novel bispecific antibody that binds B-cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA) with femtomolar avidity and the potent antitumor cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12). DESCARTES-25 cells are further engineered with a membrane-bound homing protein that directs the cells to the tumor microenvironment for local delivery of their antitumor cargo.