How LIfT's IMAN's destroy cancer cells
The Science
IMMUNOMODULATORY ALPHA NEUTROPHILS (IMANS)
Neutrophils are the crucial mediators of innate immunity, and the first line of defence against invading microorganisms and threats like cancerous cells, capable of mobilizing innate and adaptive responses to return to homeostasis. Recent pre-clinical and clinical data published in Cell (Hirschhorn 2023, Gungabeeson 2023) & Cell Oncology (Pang 2022, Benguigui 2024) shows that the type of neutrophils found in tumours can predict treatment effectiveness and clinical outcome. Tumour Associated Neutrophils (TANs) can be either pro- or anti- tumourigenic based on environmental cues and genetics. By replacing patients pro-tumour neutrophils (MDSCs) with our IMAN anti-cancer neutrophils we plan to rejuvenate the patient’s immune system to respond & attack the tumour.
IMANs are able to recruit an army of immune cells to overcome the challenges of achieving sustained remission in solid tumours:
At LIfT Biosciences, we are producing a unique type of innate immune cell called Immunomodulatory Alpha Neutrophils (IMAN) that work completely differently to the defective neutrophils cancer patients typically have suffered from. IMANs exhibit a dual mode of action that enables them to be exceptionally cytotoxic both directly and also by recruiting the rest of the immune system to destroy solid tumours and respond to IO therapies. LIfT's extensive patents mean that it is the only company in the world with a neutrophil-based cell therapy platform.
Immuno-Modulatory Alpha Neutrophils (IMAN®s) are a first-in-class immuno-cell therapy that overcomes treatment resistance in solid tumours. This patented, unique, low-cost cell therapy platform rejuvenates immune competence and recruits an army of immune cells for sustained killing.
​
IMAN Core Benefits:
01. No tumour escape
Innate antigen-independent mechanism-of-action that destroys tumour escape variants.
04. Uninhibited by TME
Stable and capable of overcoming immunosuppressive tumour microenvironments to turn them against the tumour.
02. Recruit
Orchestrates the patients own immune cells to attack the tumour, activating T-cells and NK cells alike.
05. Persisting Immune Response
IMANs last for weeks but the cascade of immune cells they recruit lasts until the tumour threat has been destroyed.
03. Infiltrates any Tumor
Actively recruited into the tumour. Capable of passing through the TME, stroma and the extra-cellular matrix.
06. Low Cost
Off-the-shelf iPSC production that reliably and consistently produces IMANs at relatively low cost.