NL-201

NL-201 is a computationally designed, de novo protein therapeutic that acts as a dual agonist of the interleukin-2 (IL‑2) and interleukin‑15 (IL‑15) receptors. Unlike native IL‑2, it is CD25-independent, meaning it does not preferentially activate regulatory T cells but instead expands CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. This design aims to enhance antitumor immune responses while minimizing immunosuppressive effects. Developed initially by Neoleukin Therapeutics in collaboration with the University of Washington’s Institute for Protein Design, NL‑201 entered Phase 1 clinical trials for advanced solid tumors and hematologic malignancies as both monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab. However, its development was discontinued in November 2022[2][6][9].

Other names

NL 201NL201NL-201NEO-2/15