MiNK Therapeutics shows dual immune responses from single cell therapy

MiNK Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: INKT) presented clinical data at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Annual Meeting showing its cell therapy agenT-797 produces different immune responses depending on the disease being treated.

The data, presented in Poster 3371 on May 14, demonstrated that the same agenT-797 product from identical donor batches generated pro-inflammatory responses in 34 solid tumor patients and anti-inflammatory responses in 20 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The therapy requires no genetic modification or lymphodepletion.

In cancer patients enrolled in trial NCT05108623, agenT-797 infusion produced rapid elevation of interferon-gamma, indicating immune activation against tumors. In ARDS patients from trial NCT04582201, the same product elevated IL-4 and IL-13 levels, suggesting immune restoration in damaged lungs.

"The same off-the-shelf cell — from the same donor, same manufacturing batch — drives inflammation in a tumor and restores immune homeostasis in a failing lung," said Jennifer Buell, MiNK's chief executive officer.

Clinical outcomes included tumor responses with complete metastatic remission in germ cell testicular cancer when combined with anti-PD-1 therapy. In ARDS cases, the company reported improved survival and radiographic resolution compared to hospital controls, including clearance of drug-resistant bacterial infections.

The findings showed consistent results across multiple manufacturing batches and donors. agenT-797 is cryopreserved and HLA-independent, designed for use across cancer, critical care, and post-transplant settings.

The company plans to advance into a randomized Phase 2 trial in acute lung injury, with preliminary data expected in 2026. MiNK's manufacturing platform isolates donor-derived invariant natural killer T cells and expands them to billions of cells while preserving biological activity.

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