A novel virus-free platform for CAR-T cell engineering

Overview

We have successfully developed a novel virus-free system for CAR-T engineering by combination of our low-energy gene transfer platform with the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology which achieves gene transfection efficiency as high as virus on the human T cells, representing a safe and efficient solution for advancing CAR-T cell therapy in the clinics.

  • A novel virus-free platform for CAR-T cell engineering 0
  • A novel virus-free platform for CAR-T cell engineering 1
  • A novel virus-free platform for CAR-T cell engineering 2
  • A novel virus-free platform for CAR-T cell engineering 3
Technical name of innovation
A Highly Efficient Virus-Free Gene Knock-In System for CAR-T Cell Engineering
Commercialisation opportunities
Exclusive licensingCo-development Manufacturing as a ServiceSystem deployment Customise vector design and synthesis
Problem addressed

Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy is effective for blood cancers. However, it is extremely costly (~HK$2M per treatment) due to the safety assurance for their production protocol with the use of virus.

Innovation
  • Our virus-free delivery system achieves high transfection efficiency as the lentiviral system with a better safety and end-user price in clinics.
  • Low energy gene transfer effectively preserves cell viability > 80%, the best among all the available virus-free method, markedly shortening the recovery time during CAR-T manufactory.
  • Achieve precision gene knock-in via CRISPR/Cas9 system, enhancing the genome stability and CAR expression persistence in the produced CAR-T cells.
Key impact
  • A novel virus-free system comparable to the viral method.
  • Precision gene knock-in largely enhances genome integrity and CAR persistence.
  • The best cell viability produces from a virus-free system.
  • Providing safe and effective CAR-T therapies at a price affordable to end-users.
Award
  • Silver Medal at the Inventions of Geneva 2024
  • Silver Medal at Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions Hong Kong 2024
  • Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU) 2025-26
  • CU Medicine Passion for Perfection Scheme 2023
  • Innovation and Technology Support Programme (Platform) 2022
Application
  • Supports various CAR designs, including second- and third-generation CARs, enhancing therapeutic flexibility.
  • Supports various T cell-based therapies, including CAR-T, TCR-T, and TIL therapy, broadening treatment options for cancer and immune disorders.
  • Applicable to multiple cell types, including T cells, NK cells, and macrophages, expanding immunotherapy applications.
  • Versatile for both gene knock-in (KI) and knock-out (KO) applications, enabling advanced cell engineering strategies.

Patent

  • US Provisional Patent (63/512,287)
  • PCT Provisional Patent (WO 2025/010729 A1)
  • Hong Kong Short-Term Patent No. 32023075982.3
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a forward-looking comprehensive research university with a global vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. CUHK teachers and students hail from all around the world. Four Nobel laureates are associated with the university, and it is the only tertiary institution in Hong Kong with recipients of the Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Fields Medal and Veblen Prize sitting as faculty in residence. CUHK graduates are connected worldwide through an extensive alumni network. CUHK undertakes a wide range of research programmes in many subject areas, and strives to provide scope for all academic staff to undertake consultancy and collaborative projects with industry. 

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