GC Cell said it entered into a joint research agreement with Checkpoint Therapeutics, a U.S.-based cancer drug developer.

Under the accord, GC Cell will receive cosibelimab, Checkpoint Therapeutics' next-generation PD-L1 inhibitor candidate, at no cost. The focus will be on investigating the combined effects of cosibelimab with GC Cell's immune cell therapy, Immuncell-LC. The collaboration will focus on non-clinical combinatory studies to predict the anti-cancer effects of the two substances.

Cosibelimab targets the PD-L1 protein on the surface of cancer cells and is designed to block the interaction between PD-1 proteins on T cells and PD-L1, preventing immune response deactivation and enabling the immune system to attack cancer cells. Cosibelimab is currently in the process of submitting a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. FDA, aiming for approval within this year.

According to GC Cell, it is a promising immune checkpoint inhibitor for patients with metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation therapy.

The joint research will investigate the anticipated synergy between cosibelimab's antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and Immuncell-LC's autologous CIK T cell responses.

Immuncell-LC is primarily composed of NK-like T cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. NK-like T cells play a crucial role in cancer cell eradication and may exhibit synergistic effects through ADCC by binding to cosibelimab's functional Fc region via CD16 receptors.

"This joint research agreement with Checkpoint Therapeutics establishes a foundation for enhanced collaboration," GC Cell CEO James Park said. "Combining the efficacy and safety of cosibelimab with Immuncell-LC, we aim to propose new treatment methods that could exceed the capabilities of existing immunotherapies."

Checkpoint Therapeutics CEO James Oliviero also said, "We are pleased to collaborate with GC Cell to determine if the combined use of cosibelimab and Immuncell-LC can offer greater potential benefits than using each treatment individually."