PHILADELPHIA, PA & SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Dispatch Bio has entered into a clinical supply and collaboration agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) to advance a first-of-its-kind solid tumor program, marking a notable step in the evolution of CAR T-cell therapy. Under the agreement, BMS will provide idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel), its BCMA-directed autologous CAR T therapy, for Dispatch’s planned U.S. Phase 1 study set to begin in 2026.
The collaboration centers on Dispatch’s DISP-10 program, an investigational two-part approach designed to tackle the longstanding barriers that have limited the use of CAR T therapies in solid tumors. While CAR T-cell treatments have transformed outcomes in certain blood cancers, their effectiveness in solid tumors has been hindered by tumor defenses, limited T-cell penetration, and antigen variability.
DISP-10 aims to overcome those challenges through a novel pairing. The first component, DV-10, is a tumor-targeting virus engineered to deliver a modified version of B-cell maturation antigen (dBCMA), as well as IL-18 and CXCL-9. The intent is to place a synthetic antigen onto tumor cells, remodel the tumor microenvironment to support T-cell activity, and improve T-cell migration. The second component is ide-cel, which will target the synthetic antigen introduced by DV-10.
In the Phase 1 study, patients with epithelial-origin solid tumors — accounting for roughly 90% of all solid tumor cancers — will first receive DV-10, followed by ide-cel. Dispatch will lead and execute the trial.
Naveen Bazaj, senior vice president of corporate development at Dispatch, called the partnership a significant validation of the company’s platform. “Partnering with Bristol Myers Squibb – a global cell therapy leader and an early investor in Dispatch – speaks to the potential of our Flare platform and scientific approach,” he said. He noted that this marks the first clinical supply agreement involving an autologous CAR T therapy, a milestone that positions Dispatch to accelerate its development timeline as it prepares to enter the clinic in 2026.
The agreement underscores growing interest in expanding cell therapies into the solid tumor space, where the need for new treatment options remains high.
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