Biotechnology company developing engineered natural killer (NK) cell therapies for cancer.
Nkarta, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing cell therapies for the treatment of cancer. The company specializes in developing and commercializing innovative cellular immunotherapies that harness the power of natural killer (NK) cells. Nkarta's approach involves enhancing NK cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on their surface. These engineered receptors enable NK cells to recognize specific proteins or antigens present on the surface of tumor cells, effectively targeting and attacking cancerous cells.
At the forefront of its pipeline are two co-lead product candidates: NKX101 and NKX019. NKX101 is currently in Phase I clinical trials, focusing on patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia or higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. Meanwhile, NKX019 is in pre-clinical development stages. This candidate aims to treat various B cell malignancies by targeting the CD19 antigen, which is prevalent on cancerous cells of these types.
Nkarta, Inc. operates with a collaborative spirit, exemplified by its research collaboration agreement with CRISPR Therapeutics AG. This partnership enhances Nkarta's capabilities in leveraging cutting-edge genetic technologies to advance its cell therapy platforms further.
Founded in 2015 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, Nkarta continues to push the boundaries of cancer treatment with its innovative approach to cellular immunotherapy. By focusing on enhancing the therapeutic potential of NK cells through CAR technology, Nkarta strives to address critical unmet needs in oncology, providing hope for patients and advancing the field of cellular therapy.