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Tartu, May 27, 2024 – The Tartu University Hospital, North Estonia Medical Centre, and Icosagen have joined forces to develop and introduce an innovative personalized cell therapy (CAR-T cell therapy) for patients in Estonia, offering hope to those with incurable blood cancer.
The Issue:
Each year, over 600 individuals in Estonia are diagnosed with blood cancer, with many succumbing within the first few years post-diagnosis.
Dr. Ain Kaare from Tartu University Hospital explains: "Significant progress has been made in cancer treatment. However, despite rapid advancements, we can only offer long-term disease-free periods to a few blood cancer patients. This means that many still experience disease progression. The new personalized CAR-T cell therapy could potentially save up to 50% of patients with certain hematological malignancies who currently have no curative options."
Dr. Annett Vapper from North Estonia Medical Centre adds: "CAR-T is a groundbreaking treatment that has revolutionized the approach to malignant blood diseases worldwide, offering a chance for recovery or longer disease-free survival for many patient groups for whom other treatments have been exhausted or proved ineffective. In the future, the potential of CAR-T technology could extend beyond blood diseases, providing therapeutic options for various oncological and rheumatological conditions based on ongoing research. This is a crucial step towards personalized medicine and more effective cancer treatment. Additionally, we can modernize treatment centers, train staff, and build medical infrastructure that enables clinical trials and enhances scientific competence."
Innovative Solution:
Tanel Mahlakõiv, PhD, from Icosagen, elaborates: "CAR-T cell therapy is an innovative treatment where a patient's own immune cells (T-cells) are genetically modified to identify and destroy cancer cells. Unfortunately, this therapy is not yet available in Estonia due to its complexity, limited production capacity by pharmaceutical companies, and high cost. We aim to make this personalized cell therapy accessible to Estonian patients within a few years. Initially, we will focus on leukemia and lymphoma patients, followed by other types of cancer and certain autoimmune diseases."
The Plan:
The collaboration project to launch CAR-T cell therapy involves Tartu University Hospital, North Estonia Medical Centre, and Icosagen. Icosagen will develop the manufacturing processes, conduct preclinical trials, and produce therapy-grade cells meeting all quality standards. Tartu University Hospital and North Estonia Medical Centre will jointly prepare the clinical protocol and related procedures, select patients in need of treatment, collect and isolate patient cells, and conduct cell therapy. Both medical institutions will ensure treatment quality and monitor patients post-treatment through coordinated efforts.
About North Estonia Medical Centre:
The North Estonia Medical Centre is a recognized and innovative medical center, a pioneer in Estonian healthcare. The medical center comprises seven clinics along with specialty centers and support services, forming a cohesive entity. Our treatment and diagnostic technologies are comparable to top European hospitals, with a commitment to continuous learning and development. We are open to innovation and aim to advance healthcare across Estonia, partnering with the state in leading innovations.
The medical center houses Estonia's largest cancer treatment center, serving over half of all Estonian cancer patients. Our interdisciplinary and experienced treatment teams provide patients with modern multimodal and personalized treatments. Our goal is to ensure that Estonian cancer patients have access to the most advanced treatment options, improving their survival chances and quality of life.
About Tartu University Hospital:
Tartu University Hospital is Estonia's only university hospital, offering the widest range of medical specialties – from disease prevention and prenatal diagnostics to specific high-tech treatments. The hospital's mission, "Science in Service of the Patient," reflects the contribution of nearly 4,900 employees to treatment, education, and research activities, ensuring the best possible scientific-based treatment for all patients and sustainable medical development in Estonia. In collaboration with the University of Tartu, the hospital is a leader in clinical research and personalized medicine.
About Icosagen:
Icosagen is Estonia's largest biotechnology company with international reach, boasting 20 years of experience in developing and producing biological drug candidates. Icosagen is dedicated to developing innovative biological drug candidates aimed at treating unmet medical needs. One of the main development areas is drugs against hemato-oncological diseases. With its newly established GMP-compliant drug candidate production unit, Icosagen now covers the entire technological competence for drug candidate development, from the identification of the initial drug molecule to the production of drug candidates for clinical trials.
Contact:
Tanel Mahlakõiv, PhD
Director of Translational Research
Icosagen Cell Factory
Phone: +372 5365 0537
Email: tanel.mahlakoiv@icosagen.com
© 2024 Icosagen
