Octane Biotech and Currus Biologics have automated the manufacturing process for CUR‑001 on Octane’s Cocoon platform, establishing a closed, reliable process to support consistent production as the therapy enters clinical development.
The milestone follows FDA clearance of Currus’ IND application, enabling a first‑in‑human, open‑label phase 1 basket trial in mesothelin‑positive advanced refractory solid tumours, with first patient dosing expected in early 2027.
CUR‑001 is the first clinical programme from Currus’ BEAT platform, combining an autologous, FLAG‑tagged CAR T‑cell therapy targeting mesothelin with a BEAT bispecific antibody. The design engages CAR T‑cells and antigen‑presenting cells to activate T‑cells in lymphoid tissue and counter the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment that has limited CAR T‑cell therapy in solid tumours.
The companies have transferred the manufacturing process onto the Cocoon, Octane’s automated system for patient‑specific cell therapies. Moving to the platform significantly reduced hands‑on operator time and viral vector requirements, two major cost drivers in autologous CAR T‑cell manufacturing.
Sam Cobb, Chief Executive Officer of Currus Biologics, said: “Getting IND clearance was a significant step forward. Ensuring we can make CUR-001 reliably, patient after patient, is now our focus.”
He added: “The success of an autologous therapy depends heavily on the process behind it. Moving CUR-001 onto the Cocoon gives us a consistent, closed process as we head into the clinic, and a manufacturing model that can grow with the programme.”
Louis Briggs, Vice President, Octane Biotech, explained: “Currus has a smart answer to one of the hardest problems in cell therapy, which is getting CAR T-cells to work in solid tumours.”
He continued: “Automating CUR-001 on the Cocoon means fewer manual steps, less variability between batches and a process built to scale from phase 1 onward. We’re proud to support Currus as CUR-001 moves toward its first patients.”
CUR‑001 will be manufactured for the phase 1 trial at Cell Therapies Pty Ltd in Melbourne, where technology transfer has been completed and operational readiness established.
