NKX019

NKX019 is an investigational, allogeneic, off-the-shelf chimeric antigen receptor natural killer (CAR NK) cell therapy developed by Nkarta. It is composed of natural killer (NK) cells derived from the peripheral blood of healthy adult donors, which are genetically engineered to express a CAR targeting CD19—a protein highly expressed on B-cells. The therapy also incorporates membrane-bound interleukin-15 (IL-15) to enhance the proliferation, persistence, and activity of the infused NK cells. Once administered to patients following lymphodepletion, these modified NK cells seek out and destroy CD19-positive B-cells through immune-mediated cytotoxicity. NKX019 is being developed for multiple indications including relapsed/refractory B-cell malignancies such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and autoimmune diseases like lupus nephritis, ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), and idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. As an allogeneic product that can be cryopreserved and supplied off-the-shelf, it aims to overcome many logistical challenges associated with autologous cell therapies.

Other names

NKX019 CAR NKNKX-019 CAR NKNKX 019 CAR NK