Backpacks on the Fast Track

Torque Therapeutics, founded by KI Associate Director Darrell Irvine, has fast-tracked its Deep-Primed T cell immunotherapy program, potentially expediting approval for its use for patients with relapsed or intractable solid tumors and lymphomas. Currently in clinical trials, the technology attaches nanoparticle "backpacks" to T cells that have been programmed to target and attack tumors. The backpacks deliver immune-stimulating drugs that help T cells survive and function while avoiding some of the toxic side effects that come with systemic delivery of drugs.