Page 54 - SaxoCell Annual Report 2021

TheraSTAR

The TheraSTAR project aims to develop theranostic target molecules (for therapy and
diagnostics) and adapter CAR platforms that significantly support both conventional CAR
and universal adapter CAR (e.g. UniCAR, RevCAR) technologies in the SaxoCell® cluster,
broaden their application and improve their safety and efficacy. In this context, target
molecules will be developed that redirect adapter CAR-armed immune cells to kill tumor
cells and further enable a modulation of the tumor microenvironment which is thought
to have a beneficial impact on the therapeutic efficacy. To improve safety and specificity
SaxoCell Projects technologies will be developed that are switchable and can be programmed for
of CAR-based cellular therapies, in the TheraSTAR project adapter CAR platform

combinatorial tumor targeting. Besides immunotherapy, the theranostic approach can
be used for radionuclide therapy and additionally allows monitoring of the tumors and

course of immunotherapy in patients using imaging techniques (PET/SPECT). Due to
their modular character, the platform technologies are broadly applicable for targeting
of different tumor entities as well as infectious, autoimmune or graft-versus-host
diseases.

These theranostic platform technologies enable unique and versatile combinations of
therapy and diagnosis paving the way for an improved, effective, safe and personalized
immunotherapy.

Project Manager: Dr. Anja Feldmann

Project Partners: Technical University Dresden, Helmholtz Center Dresden Rossendorf

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