XNK Therapeutics has expanded significantly in the past year and now has access to its own GMP-standard production lab.

“We need to have significantly larger capacity to conduct the larger Phase II studies we’re planning. That capacity isn’t available in Sweden, so we’ve built up our own lab in Flemingsberg,” says Johan Liwing, CEO of XNK Therapeutics.

XNK has grown rapidly in recent years and today the company employs almost 30 people in Novum in Flemingsberg. The new GMP facility, with 350sqm of research laboratory space, gives the company better control over its development chain.

Unique technology
XNK Therapeutics was founded in 2012 and is a pioneer in cell therapy. With a unique platform technology, the company focuses primarily on new forms of cancer treatment. The platform enables new cell-based treatments with autologous NK cells.

A clinical investigator-sponsored Phase II study is already being conducted at Karolinska University Hospital, where XNK’s drug candidate is being combined with Sanofi’s anti-CD38 antibody Sarclisa, Isatuximab, for treatment of the severe cancer form multiple myeloma.

“We’re extremely proud of this smaller Phase II study and now we need to increase production capacity. Myeloma is our main focus area, but when we’ve reached the right capacity, there’ll be one or two more [candidates]. It’s important to create a good width outside the blood cancer area,” says Liwing.

XNK Therapeutics is currently conducting a number of projects, including a “proof of concept” study together with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in the field of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
At the beginning of the year, the company raised approximately SEK 130 million in new capital to drive growth.

“It feels great and above all the fact that it’s not only about capital but also provides the addition of competence and production knowledge through NorthX Biologics. We complement each other in a way that enables good synergies,” says Liwing.

“Flemingsberg is the ideal place for us with immediate proximity to everything we need. It’s also home to research in a world-leading research hub and a proximity to a clinic that really knows NK cells.”

Read more about xnktherapeutics.com.