Vaxcellbio (CEO Je-Jung Lee, MD, PhD), a leading immuno-oncology company, announced today that it has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Canadian biotechnology company Myellama to jointly develop a novel multiple myeloma therapy based on the National Research Council Canada's (NRC) next-generation NK cell engager technology.

The project establishes a four-party global collaboration involving the National Research Council Canada (NRC), the University of Ottawa, Myellama, and Vaxcellbio. The partnership combines the NRC's proprietary NK cell engager technology, the University of Ottawa's scientific expertise, Myellama's commercialization capabilities, and Vaxcellbio's allogeneic NK cell platform, GMP manufacturing expertise, and clinical development capabilities.

Under the MOU, Vaxcellbio and Myellama will jointly evaluate the NRC-developed NK cell engager as both a standalone therapy and in combination with Vaxcellbio's allogeneic NK cells for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

The partners will investigate anti-tumor efficacy and mechanisms of action using patient-derived samples and preclinical models. They will also explore the potential expansion of the platform through next-generation delivery technologies, including mRNA-based approaches. Based on the outcomes of these studies, the collaboration aims to advance the program toward global clinical development and commercialization.

The NK cell engager is a next-generation immuno-oncology platform designed to simultaneously bind NK cells and tumor cells, selectively enhancing NK cell recognition and cytotoxic activity against cancer cells.

Developed by the National Research Council Canada, the technology incorporates an Fc-fusion design that significantly extends circulating half-life while demonstrating potent anti-tumor activity in preclinical studies. Through this collaboration, Myellama and Vaxcellbio will work together to further develop and commercialize the technology globally.

The collaboration was initiated following a joint scientific and technical meeting recently held among the NRC, the University of Ottawa, Myellama, and Vaxcellbio. As the next step, Vaxcellbio will commence collaborative research immediately upon receiving the research materials developed through the partnership.

Within the project, Vaxcellbio will contribute its allogeneic NK cell platform, immune cell manufacturing technologies, and preclinical evaluation capabilities. The company recently demonstrated its advanced manufacturing expertise through a publication in the international peer-reviewed journal Cancers, reporting a next-generation manufacturing technology capable of expanding NK cells by more than 100,000-fold using genetically engineered ARH-77 feeder cells.

Building on this collaboration, Vaxcellbio plans to generate synergies across its proprietary next-generation pipeline, including autologous and allogeneic NK cell therapies as well as CAR-NK, CAR-T, and CAR-MIL programs.

By expanding its global R&D network with leading research institutions and biotechnology partners, the company aims to strengthen its technological competitiveness and accelerate the development of innovative immuno-oncology therapies for patients worldwide.

Dr. Je-Jung Lee, CEO of Vaxcellbio, said, "This collaboration represents an important milestone that brings together the innovative technology of the National Research Council Canada, one of the world's leading research organizations, and Vaxcellbio's proprietary NK cell platform."

"Vaxcellbio will devote its full-cycle capabilities—from preclinical research and GMP manufacturing to clinical development—to accelerate this program toward successful global clinical development and commercialization, ultimately providing new therapeutic options for patients with multiple myeloma."

Key Takeaways

●      Vaxcellbio has signed a strategic MOU with Canadian biotechnology company Myellama to co-develop a next-generation multiple myeloma therapy based on the National Research Council Canada's (NRC) NK cell engager technology.

●      The collaboration brings together NRC, the University of Ottawa, Myellama, and Vaxcellbio, combining scientific innovation, commercialization expertise, Vaxcellbio's allogeneic NK cell platform, GMP manufacturing, and clinical development capabilities to accelerate the program from preclinical validation to global commercialization.

●      Under the agreement, Vaxcellbio will contribute its full-cycle development capabilities—including preclinical research, immune cell manufacturing, GMP production, and clinical development—supported by its recently published next-generation NK cell expansion technology capable of achieving more than 100,000-fold expansion.

●      Dr. Je-Jung Lee, CEO of Vaxcellbio, said, "This collaboration marks an important step toward advancing next-generation NK cell therapies for multiple myeloma by combining NRC's innovative NK cell engager technology with Vaxcellbio's proprietary NK cell platform. We look forward to leveraging our integrated development and manufacturing capabilities to accelerate global clinical development and ultimately deliver new treatment options for patients."