Page 40 - SaxoCell Annual Report 2021
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NK4Therapy
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that mediate immune responses
against virus-infected cells and cancer. The NK4Therapy project exploits the potential of
terminally differentiated NK cells expressing the activating receptor CD94/NKG2C and
associated with acquisition of the maturation marker CD57. Both markers are
hallmarking a shift toward greater effector function, including improved antibody-
dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and potent natural cytotoxicity after engagement
SaxoCell Projects It is planned to exploit the intrinsic natural cytotoxicity of the NKG2C+/CD57+ NK cells
with target cells.
towards solid cancers with expression of ligands for CD94/NKG2C. In addition, such NK
cells can be used in an autologous or allogeneic setting for therapy of viral infections
and in particular as consolidation therapy in immunocompromised patients. A novel
method for isolation of NK cells from a Saxon SME and a proprietary technology for
large-scale expansion of NK cells from the TU Dresden will be merged into a GMP-
compliant NK cell production process for accelerating market maturity.
Project Manager: Prof. Dr. Achim Temme
Project Partners: University Hospital Dresden, Transfusion Medicine Technical
University Dresden, Cell.Copedia GmbH Leipzig
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