UV-Crosslinked Targeting Molecule–Cell Complexes for Cancer Therapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cancer treatments using autologous or allogeneic natural killer cells and T cells are limited by the low expression of major histocompatibility complex on cancer cells, leading to reduced therapeutic efficacy, and CAR-T cell therapies face manufacturing challenges, high costs, and safety concerns from viral vector residues.

Innovation Solution

A crosslinked targeting molecule-cell complex is developed using a photo-reactive functional group that binds to amino functional groups on cell surfaces via UV light, enabling rapid and cost-effective production without viral vectors, enhancing cellular functionality and cytotoxicity against cancer cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cell therapy using autologous or allogeneic natural killer cells or T cells is used, then therapeutic efficacy is achieved to a certain degree, but the activity and effectiveness are limited by the low expression of major histocompatibility complex on cancer cells

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic efficacyVSAvoidresponse to tumor antigen
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a synthetic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) as an intermediary molecule that mediates between the T cell and cancer cell surface molecules. The CAR comprises a transmembrane domain, cytoplasmic domain, and extracellular domain that can recognize and bind to specific surface molecules on cancer cells, bypassing the need for major histocompatibility complex expression. This intermediary mechanism enables T cells to effectively target and kill cancer cells regardless of MHC expression levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If CAR-T cell therapy is used to bypass major histocompatibility complex limitations, then specific cytotoxicity against target molecules is achieved, but manufacturing challenges, high costs, and safety concerns from viral vector residues occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecific cytotoxicityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and separates the essential function of CAR-T cell therapy (specific cytotoxicity against target molecules) from the complex manufacturing process involving viral vectors. By using a simplified approach where pre-formed CARs are conjugated to cell surfaces or used as standalone therapeutic molecules, the invention eliminates the need for complex viral vector-based manufacturing while retaining the specific cytotoxic activity. This extraction of the core function enables cost-effective production without viral vector residue safety concerns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If CAR-T cell therapy is used to achieve specific cytotoxicity, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but the cost and manufacturing time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming and pre-characterizing the CAR molecules and their conjugation to cell surfaces or carriers before administration. The CARs are prepared in advance with optimized structures and binding affinities, allowing for rapid deployment without time-consuming on-site manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of therapeutic components enables faster production cycles while maintaining high therapeutic effectiveness through standardized, scalable manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The crosslinked complex molecule enhances cellular efficacy, providing a fast and affordable treatment option for cancer by binding to various cells, improving cytotoxicity and inhibiting tumor growth without genetic modification or viral vector risks.

Implementation Method 1

the photo-reactive functional group moiety can bind to an amino functional group (-NH 2 ) on cell surface proteins by irradiating ultraviolet (UV) light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhoto-reactive binding: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP4613290A1Targeting molecule-cell complex and preparation method therefor
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 TCI GENE
  • EP4613290A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4613290A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4613290A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a targeting molecule-cell complex capable of being used for the treatment and/or prevention of cancer, and a preparation method therefor. The targeting molecule-cell complex is a complex having formula (I) [X-A1-L-A2-D], wherein: X is a cell; A1 is a substituted or unsubstituted indazolone moiety; L is -O-(CH2)m-W-(CH2)n-, wherein m and n are each independently an integer between 0 and 10, and W is a single bond or -NHCO- or a substituted or unsubstituted polyethylene glycolene (PEG) with 1-4 units; A2 is -CONH- or -COS -; and D is a targeting moiety.