NexImmune, Inc. Extends Research Partnership with Yale and JDRF for Potential Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
NexImmune, Inc. has announced an extension of its research partnership with Yale and JDRF, funded by a $300,000 grant from JDRF’s Cures research portfolio. This partnership will explore the use of NexImmune’s AIM nanoparticles in combination with an anti-CD3 mAb for the prevention and treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D).
The grant will fund efforts to investigate the use of NexImmune’s nanoparticles in combination with a murine surrogate of teplizumab, a T cell-specific mAb candidate. This combination has shown promising results in modulating the pathogenic immune response in T1D.
Kristi Jones, Chief Executive Officer at NexImmune, expressed excitement about the progress made by Dr. Kevan Herold’s lab at Yale, which led to the additional grant from JDRF. Jones stated, “The data generated to date is encouraging and demonstrate the ability of NexImmune’s nanoparticles to specifically inhibit or eliminate T1D-causing T cells in the lymph node and pancreas.”
NexImmune’s AIM nanoparticles have the potential to enhance the effect of anti-CD3 treatment by targeting and modulating T1D antigen-specific T cells. This could potentially lead to long-term benefits and induce tolerance in T1D patients.
NexImmune is focused on developing injectable AIM nanoparticle constructs and modalities for potential clinical evaluation in oncology, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. The company’s proprietary Artificial Immune Modulation (AIM™) nanoparticle technology platform enables the construction of nanoparticles that function as synthetic dendritic cells, capable of directing a specific T cell-mediated immune response.
JDRF, a leading organization in the fight against T1D, has invested over $2.5 billion in research funding since its inception. Their mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat T1D and its complications.
