Philadelphia – November 03, 2026 -- Verismo Therapeutics' SynKIR-110 achieved the fastest tumor control among three CAR T designs in preclinical mesothelioma models while producing roughly 10-fold less IFNγ and 30-fold less TNFα and IL-2 than a CD28-based single-chain CAR T.
The company will present the data at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 41st Annual Meeting in Phoenix (Abstract 253). The study compared SynKIR-110 with CD28- and 4-1BB-based single-chain CAR T cells in mesothelioma xenograft models.
SynKIR-110 shows lower exhaustion markers than both single-chain comparators
Tumor-infiltrating SynKIR-110 CD8 T cells expressed fewer of the exhaustion markers TIM3, LAG3 and PD1 than cells from either single-chain design. In vitro data also showed reductions in T cell exhaustion, off-target proliferation and toxicity.
Healthy lung tissue shows no SynKIR-110 accumulation, unlike single-chain CAR T groups
Both single-chain CAR T groups showed off-target activity in vitro. Both also showed accumulation of CD8 CAR T cells in healthy lung tissue in vivo. Neither effect appeared in animals treated with SynKIR-110.
Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Operating Officer Laura Johnson, Ph.D., said the results reinforce the idea that separating antigen binding from T cell activation can "meaningfully reduce tonic signaling" without compromising antitumor control.
Phase 1 STAR-101 trial continues dose escalation in mesothelin-expressing solid tumors
SynKIR-110 is in the Phase 1 STAR-101 trial (NCT05568680) in advanced mesothelin-expressing solid tumors, including mesothelioma, ovarian cancer and cholangiocarcinoma. Initial clinical data presented at AACR 2026 covered nine patients across the first three dose-escalation cohorts. They showed no dose-limiting toxicities, no Grade 3 or higher cytokine release syndrome and no ICANS, along with tumor reduction.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted SynKIR-110 Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations for mesothelioma. Dose escalation continues to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose.
KIR-CAR platform splits antigen binding and activation signals using KIR and DAP12
The KIR-CAR platform uses an NK cell-derived killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) paired with DAP12. This arrangement separates target binding from T cell activation, independent of CD3 signaling and without additional co-stimulation. Verismo, a subsidiary of HLB Innovation, says it is the only company developing the platform. A second asset, SynKIR-310 (NCT06544265), is also in Phase 1.
Poster presentation set for November 6 in Phoenix
Nora Yucel, Ph.D., will present the poster in the Cellular Therapies – Chimeric Antigen Receptors session at the Phoenix Convention Center. Sessions run 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. MT on Friday, November 6, 2026.