MaxCyte

Major milestone achieved, as first patient is treated with a CARMA product

Lighthouse | 10 October 2018

Share this note

  • The first patient has been treated in the Phase I trial with MCY-M11 (anti-mesothelin, CARMA-hMeso), the novel chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) cell therapy developed by MaxCyte.
  • The trial is a dose-escalation study (3+3 design) in c15 patients with ovarian cancer or peritoneal mesothelioma, who will receive three weekly doses of MCY-M11 delivered intraperitoneally, without any preconditioning treatment (eg. cyclophosphamide or fludarabine). The dosing of the initial cohort will be 1 x 107 cells, which will be increased in subsequent cohorts to 5 x 107, 1 x 108 and 5 x 108
  • The study is being conducted at National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health in Maryland, and Washington University in St. Louis in Missouri.
  • 9 independent studies in over 20 patients have confirmed the potential of treating cancer, including solid tumours, with T-cells that only transiently express a CAR (unlike current CAR-T therapies) following transfection of mRNA into the cells using MaxCyte’s technology.
  • Initial data from the study is expected in early 2019, the primary endpoint is safety with efficacy and the analysis of biomarkers as secondary endpoints.
  • MaxCyte’s ability to manufacture the CARMA therapy in 1 day (compared to current approved CAR-T therapies of 1 to 2 weeks) has been validated during the treatment of the first patient.
  • The second CARMA therapy, an intravenous version of MCY-M11, should enter the clinic in H219.

Trinity Delta view: The CARMA technology platform is key asset of MaxCyte, internally developed and wholly-owned. CARMA products clearly have significant manufacturing advantages over the currently approved CAR-T therapies, Novartis’ Kymriah and Gilead’s Yescarta. This trial will indicate whether CARMA products have the better safety profile, with manageable on-target/off-tumour effects (a significant issue for the development of CAR-T therapies in solid tumours), while still having the expected anti-tumour activity.


The initial data from the trial is expected in Q119, but a better indication of the potential of MCY-M11 will probably become apparent later in the year, once patients have received the higher doses.


Our valuation of MaxCyte is currently £166m or 327p/share, which we will review in light of the company’s progress.

 

Lighthouse

10 October 2018

Price237p
Market Cap£122m
Primary exchangeAIM London
SectorHealthcare
Company CodeMXCT / MXCR
Corporate clientYes

Company description

MaxCyte uses its patented flow electroporation platform to transfect a wide array of cells. Revenues arise from sale and lease of equipment, disposables and licence fees; with an impressive client list. Additionally, a novel mRNA mediated CAR technology, known as CARMA, is being explored in various cancers, including solid tumours.

Analysts

Mick Cooper PhD
mcooper@trinitydelta.org
+44 (0) 20 3637 5042

Lala Gregorek
lgregorek@trinitydelta.org
+44 (0) 20 3637 5043

Disclaimer

Trinity Delta Research Limited (“TDRL”; firm reference number: 725161), which trades as Trinity Delta, is an appointed representative of Equity Development Limited (“ED”). The contents of this report, which has been prepared by and is the sole responsibility of TDRL, have been reviewed, but not independently verified, by ED which is authorised and regulated by the FCA, and whose reference number is 185325.

ED is acting for TDRL and not for any other person and will not be responsible for providing the protections provided to clients of TDRL nor for advising any other person in connection with the contents of this report and, except to the extent required by applicable law, including the rules of the FCA, owes no duty of care to any other such person. No reliance may be placed on ED for advice or recommendations with respect to the contents of this report and, to the extent it may do so under applicable law, ED makes no representation or warranty to the persons reading this report with regards to the information contained in it.

In the preparation of this report TDRL has used publically available sources and taken reasonable efforts to ensure that the facts stated herein are clear, fair and not misleading, but make no guarantee or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein, nor to provide updates should fresh information become available or opinions change.

Any person who is not a relevant person under section of Section 21(2) of the Financial Services & Markets Act 2000 of the United Kingdom should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents. Research on its client companies produced by TDRL is normally commissioned and paid for by those companies themselves (‘issuer financed research’) and as such is not deemed to be independent, as defined by the FCA, but is ‘objective’ in that the authors are stating their own opinions. The report should be considered a marketing communication for purposes of the FCA rules. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and it is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research. TDRL does not hold any positions in any of the companies mentioned in the report, although directors, employees or consultants of TDRL may hold positions in the companies mentioned. TDRL does impose restrictions on personal dealings. TDRL might also provide services to companies mentioned or solicit business from them.

This report is being provided to relevant persons to provide background information about the subject matter of the note. This document does not constitute, nor form part of, and should not be construed as, any offer for sale or purchase of (or solicitation of, or invitation to make any offer to buy or sell) any Securities (which may rise and fall in value). Nor shall it, or any part of it, form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract or commitment whatsoever. The information that we provide is not intended to be, and should not in any manner whatsoever be, construed as personalised advice. Self-certification by investors can be completed free of charge at www.fisma.org. TDRL, its affiliates, officers, directors and employees, and ED will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from any use of this document, to the maximum extent that the law permits.

Copyright 2018 Trinity Delta Research Limited. All rights reserved.