CR3022-CAR cells have greater lysis of cells transfected with the RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein compared to control.
Invention Summary:
COVID-19 remains a pandemic and a critical medical concern across the world. Patients with severe symptoms are admitted into the ER have grim prognosis and have expensive limited treatment options. A large unmet need remains for an effective COVID-19 treatment despite vaccine deployment. Immunocompromised people unable to receive the vaccine, COVID-19 variant strains, incomplete vaccine efficacy and vaccine hesitancy indicates a continuation of COVID-19 cases.
Rutgers researchers have developed a natural killer cell expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CR3022) capable of broadly neutralizing SARS-CoV-1 and -2. It specifically binds to the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 enabling the CAR-NK cell to prevent infection and kill infected target cells. Possible applications for this product include its use in the treatment of COVID patients.
Market Applications:
- Prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19
Advantages:
- Binds to RBD of SARS-CoV-2 to prevent docking to host cells
- Kills SARS-CoV-2 infected cells
- Does not rely on patient’s own immunity when they are in lymphopenia
- Immunocompromised people may be able to mount an immune response with CAR-NK technology against COVID-19
- Allogenic, universal and “off-the-shelf” capability
Intellectual Property & Development Status:
Patent pending. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration.
