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# Melbourne biotech signs US cancer deal for its engineered immune cells
- URL: https://www.bushletter.com/melbourne-biotech-us-cancer-deal-engineered-immune-cells/
- Published: 2026-09-01T06:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-01T05:59:59.000Z
- Description: Melbourne-based Cartherics executed a research collaboration and option agreement with the Zucker Institute, the commercialisation entity for the Medical University of South Carolina, on 1 September 2026.
- Author: Editor
- Tags: Health, Australia, Victoria, Melbourne, Biotech, Cartherics

![Takeshi Mori](https://res.cloudinary.com/dz77sb7j1/image/upload/v1774262566/bushletter/authors/takeshi-mori.png)

By **Takeshi Mori** · 2026-09-01

TLDR

Melbourne biotech Cartherics has executed a research collaboration and option agreement with the Zucker Institute, the commercialisation arm of the Medical University of South Carolina. The deal pairs Cartherics' iPSC-derived CAR-NK cell platform with a novel anti-tissue factor antibody to pursue preclinical work in solid tumours and endometriosis.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

01Cartherics will pair its engineered natural killer cells with the Zucker Institute's antibody under a research collaboration and option agreement.

02Researchers at MUSC and the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute developed the novel anti-tissue factor antibody.

03All efficacy testing will use preclinical in vitro and in vivo human cancer and endometriosis models.

04Tissue factor is expressed across a broad range of solid tumours and is an FDA-validated oncology target.

05Option agreements of this type typically include upfront fees, development milestones and royalties on net sales.

## Cartherics takes its cell therapy platform to a US cancer institute

Melbourne-based Cartherics executed a research collaboration and option agreement with the Zucker Institute, the commercialisation entity for the Medical University of South Carolina, on 1 September 2026.[\[1\]](https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2026/09/cartherics-and-zucker-institute-execute-research-collaboration-and-option-agreement-to-combine-ipsc-derived-nk-cell-platform-with-novel-anti-tissue-factor-antibody/169009/?ref=bushletter.com) The structure is a familiar one in biotech: one party brings the platform, the other brings the antibody, and an option mechanism hands the platform owner a licensed pathway if preclinical results hold up.

Under the agreement, the parties will combine Cartherics' iPSC-derived CAR-NK cell platform with a novel anti-tissue factor antibody developed by researchers at MUSC and the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, targeting applications in cancer and endometriosis.[\[1\]](https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2026/09/cartherics-and-zucker-institute-execute-research-collaboration-and-option-agreement-to-combine-ipsc-derived-nk-cell-platform-with-novel-anti-tissue-factor-antibody/169009/?ref=bushletter.com) Cartherics will evaluate incorporating that antibody into next-generation TF-targeting CAR-NK cell therapies for solid tumours, with triple-negative breast cancer cited as one indication alongside potential endometriosis applications.[\[1\]](https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2026/09/cartherics-and-zucker-institute-execute-research-collaboration-and-option-agreement-to-combine-ipsc-derived-nk-cell-platform-with-novel-anti-tissue-factor-antibody/169009/?ref=bushletter.com)

## Why tissue factor holds up as a target

Tissue factor is an FDA-validated oncology target: the agency granted traditional approval to tisotumab vedotin-tftv for recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer on 29 April 2024.[\[2\]](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-approves-tisotumab-vedotin-tftv-recurrent-or-metastatic-cervical-cancer?ref=bushletter.com) Its expression across a broad range of solid tumours gives a tissue factor-targeting cell therapy a potentially wide addressable population, which is the commercial appeal.

MUSC's Assoc Prof John Wrangle said tissue factor is present on a huge number of cancers including ovarian cancer, and is integral to how cancers grow, survive and resist the best available therapies.[\[1\]](https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2026/09/cartherics-and-zucker-institute-execute-research-collaboration-and-option-agreement-to-combine-ipsc-derived-nk-cell-platform-with-novel-anti-tissue-factor-antibody/169009/?ref=bushletter.com)

## What the option structure means commercially

Research collaboration and option agreements of this type typically include R&D service and manufacturing fees, an option fee to license the developed asset, upfront payments, success-based milestone payments, and royalties on net sales.[\[5\]](https://announcements.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20250930/pdf/06pw6k1lw40n5s.pdf?ref=bushletter.com) Cartherics bears development execution risk in exchange for a defined pathway to own the resulting assets commercially, if milestones are met.

Cartherics Chief Scientific Officer Dr Walid Azar said the collaboration provides an exciting opportunity to develop next-generation cell therapies for patients with limited treatment options, and that Cartherics is delighted to incorporate the innovative antibody technology into its established iPSC-derived CAR-NK cell platform.[\[1\]](https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2026/09/cartherics-and-zucker-institute-execute-research-collaboration-and-option-agreement-to-combine-ipsc-derived-nk-cell-platform-with-novel-anti-tissue-factor-antibody/169009/?ref=bushletter.com) TF CAR-NK cell products will be evaluated for efficacy using in vitro and in vivo human cancer and endometriosis models, with all work remaining preclinical for now.[\[1\]](https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2026/09/cartherics-and-zucker-institute-execute-research-collaboration-and-option-agreement-to-combine-ipsc-derived-nk-cell-platform-with-novel-anti-tissue-factor-antibody/169009/?ref=bushletter.com) Cartherics' existing lead product, CTH-401, is an iPSC-derived CAR-NK cell therapy carrying a CAR directed against TAG-72 and the deletion of two immunosuppressive genes.[\[4\]](https://cartherics.com/technology/?ref=bushletter.com)

This article contains analysis and commentary on market conditions. It does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always consult a qualified adviser before making financial decisions.

SOURCES & CITATIONS

1. [Cartherics and Zucker Institute execute research collaboration and option agreement](https://newshub.medianet.com.au/2026/09/cartherics-and-zucker-institute-execute-research-collaboration-and-option-agreement-to-combine-ipsc-derived-nk-cell-platform-with-novel-anti-tissue-factor-antibody/169009/?ref=bushletter.com)
2. [FDA approves tisotumab vedotin-tftv for recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-approves-tisotumab-vedotin-tftv-recurrent-or-metastatic-cervical-cancer?ref=bushletter.com)
3. [Cartherics investor information](https://cartherics.com/investors/?ref=bushletter.com)
4. [Cartherics technology platform](https://cartherics.com/technology/?ref=bushletter.com)
5. [ASX disclosure on research collaboration and option agreement structure](https://announcements.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20250930/pdf/06pw6k1lw40n5s.pdf?ref=bushletter.com)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is an iPSC-derived CAR-NK cell therapy?

It involves converting donated umbilical cord blood cells into induced pluripotent stem cells that can self-renew indefinitely, then differentiating them into natural killer cells engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors targeting tumour-associated antigens. The result is a potent off-the-shelf cell product that does not require a patient's own cells.

What is the Zucker Institute?

The Zucker Institute is the commercialisation entity for the Medical University of South Carolina. It acts as the intermediary that executes research collaboration and licensing agreements on behalf of MUSC researchers.

Is any of this research in human trials yet?

No. The agreement covers preclinical work only, using in vitro and in vivo human cancer and endometriosis models. No clinical trials have been announced under this collaboration.

![Alex Mercer](https://res.cloudinary.com/dz77sb7j1/image/upload/v1774262566/bushletter/authors/alex-mercer.png)

[Alex Mercer](https://bushletter.com/author/alex-mercer/?ref=bushletter.com)

Alex Mercer writes about technology, energy and infrastructure. He likes the physical end of the story: the plants, the grids and the machines that everything else depends on.