Verismo Therapeutics adds CLDN6 targeting to KIR-CAR oncology pipeline

The new CLDN6-directed program marks the second collaboration between Verismo and the University of Pennsylvania, following the development of the DS191 binder currently used in the SynKIR-310 clinical trial. By targeting CLDN6, a protein highly expressed in various solid tumors but largely absent in healthy adult tissues, the company aims to broaden the therapeutic reach of its proprietary KIR-CAR technology. This approach is designed to complement the lead asset, SynKIR-110, which is currently under evaluation for mesothelin-expressing cancers in the STAR-101 Phase 1 study.

Technically, the KIR-CAR platform differentiates itself by using a modified NK cell-derived receptor and DAP12 pairing. This architecture splits target binding and T cell activation, a design intended to reduce T cell exhaustion—a common failure point in conventional single-chain CAR T treatments. Prof. Donald Siegel, who led the discovery of the new binder, noted that the platform’s unique signaling mechanism provides a distinct advantage in treating malignancies that have historically proven resistant to standard immunotherapy approaches.