ARC-SparX
Platform
Arcellx is developing a uniquely adaptable and controllable cell therapy.
Our Technology
How it Works
The Arcellx platform has two key components: SparX proteins and universal ARC-T cells. SparX proteins bind to specific antigens on diseased cells, then flag those cells for destruction by ARC-T cells. SparX proteins contain novel binding domains that recognize specific disease-associated antigens. Arcellx is developing a collection of SparX proteins to treat a range of diseases. ARC-T cells are engineered immune cells that bind to SparX proteins and kill the flagged cells. ARC-T cells, which cannot recognize diseased cells on their own, activate only when combined with a SparX protein bound to an antigen on a cell. ARC-T cells are equipped with a novel binding domain designed to recognize the universal tag portion of SparX proteins. The tag binding domain on every ARC-T cell is built on a domain scaffold shared with the antigen binding domains in SparX proteins.
Process
SparX proteins target specific antigens on diseased cells. They contain novel binding domains that recognize specific disease-associated antigens. SparX proteins share a universal TAG recognized by ARC-T cells.
Universal TAG
SparX Novel Binding Domain
ARC-T cells are immune cells engineered to kill diseased cells flagged by SparX proteins.
ARC-T cells are equipped with a novel binding domain designed to recognize the universal tag portion of SparX proteins. The tag binding domain on every ARC-T cell is built on a domain scaffold shared with the antigen binding domains in SparX proteins.
4-1 BB
CD3 zeta
ARC-T Novel Binding Domain
ARC-T cells combine with a SparX protein bound to an antigen on a diseased cell, in this case a tumor cell.
ARC-T cells are activated to kill a tumor cell after binding to a SparX protein-antigen complex.
Our Vision
Improved Safety
Profile
With the ARC-SparX platform, a physician can control ARC-T cell activity by controlling the dose and frequency of SparX protein administration, which may lead to improved safety.
Enhanced
Persistence
Intermittent dosing of SparX proteins can allow ARC-T cells to rest after activation, which can enhance ARC-T cell differentiation into memory cells that confer long-lived T-cell immunity. ARC-T cells are also designed to minimize the risk of rejection by the immune system, enhancing persistence of the ARC-T cells in the patient.
Adaptability
The ARC-SparX platform is designed to be adaptable to particular antigen profiles of diseased cells. Following a single infusion of ARC-T cells, a physician can administer SparX proteins targeting one or more antigens expressed on the diseased cells. A patient can be dosed with different SparX proteins if the antigens expressed on the diseased cells change. This adaptability can address relapsed and hard-to-treat disease.
Efficient
Manufacturing
ARC-T cells can be manufactured using the same viral vector with similar cell processing across all programs on the Arcellx platform. In addition, the ARC construct can be used with either autologous or allogeneic cell therapy approaches. SparX proteins are designed for convenient manufacturing, with cost-effective microbial-based expression and a similar purification process for each specific SparX protein.
Improved Targeting
SparX proteins are engineered with high selectivity to direct the killing of diseased cells while sparing nearby healthy cells with similar antigens.
Expanded Access
to Treatment
The benefits of safer, controllable and adaptable cell therapy can enable more physicians to provide the cell therapy in an outpatient setting, facilitate entry into earlier lines of therapy, and permit more patients to be eligible for treatment.