MiNK Therapeutics Awarded Prestigious NIAID Grant to Advance Allo-iNKT Cell Therapy for Prevention of GvHD in Stem Cell Transplant Patients

Rhea-AI Summary

MiNK Therapeutics (NASDAQ: INKT) has received a prestigious NIAID grant to advance its allogeneic iNKT cell therapy platform for preventing and treating graft-versus-host disease in stem cell transplant patients. The company is collaborating with the University of Wisconsin to develop this innovative treatment. The research targets a significant unmet need, as nearly 50% of patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplants are at risk for GvHD, a severe immune complication with high mortality rates. The non-dilutive funding validates MiNK's iNKT platform, which uniquely regulates immune responses, promotes tissue repair, and suppresses inflammatory pathways. The collaboration combines MiNK's advanced iNKT manufacturing capabilities with the University of Wisconsin's expertise in transplant immunology.

Positive

• Received prestigious non-dilutive NIAID/NIH grant funding, validating technology and reducing financial burden
• Strategic collaboration with University of Wisconsin enhances research capabilities
• Addresses large market opportunity with ~50% of stem cell transplant patients at risk for GvHD
• Technology shows unique ability to regulate immune responses while preserving infection-fighting capabilities

Negative

• Product still in early development stages with no guaranteed success
• Faces competition from existing GvHD treatments and other emerging therapies

Insights

Biotechnology & Immunotherapy Specialist

INKT receives NIAID grant for iNKT cell therapy in GvHD, validating platform potential while adding non-dilutive funding for clinical advancement.

MiNK Therapeutics has secured a significant non-dilutive grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to advance their innovative allogeneic invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapy platform. This funding specifically targets the development of treatments for graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a serious complication affecting nearly 50% of allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients.

The scientific rationale behind this approach is compelling. iNKT cells possess unique immunoregulatory properties that can simultaneously suppress harmful inflammatory responses while preserving essential immune functions. This dual mechanism addresses a critical limitation of current GvHD treatments, which often suppress the entire immune system, leaving patients vulnerable to infections.

The collaboration with the University of Wisconsin adds significant credibility, combining MiNK's manufacturing capabilities with academic expertise in transplant immunology. Dr. Gumperz's work has demonstrated that iNKT cells can potentially not only prevent GvHD but also improve engraftment success - a critical factor in transplant outcomes.

This grant delivers three key benefits to MiNK: (1) non-dilutive capital that extends runway without shareholder dilution, (2) external validation from a prestigious government institution regarding their platform's scientific merit, and (3) accelerated development in a high-unmet-need indication with substantial market potential. The allogeneic (off-the-shelf) nature of their therapy also offers manufacturing and logistical advantages over autologous approaches, potentially enabling broader clinical application if successful in development.

Non-dilutive NIH funding supports development of MiNK’s allogeneic iNKT platform for immune regulation in high-risk HSCT settings

NEW YORK, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MiNK Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: INKT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering allogeneic, off-the-shelf invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapies, today announced it has been awarded a grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant will support development of MiNK’s allo-iNKT cell therapy platform for the prevention and treatment of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin.

“This non-dilutive funding from NIAID underscores the growing recognition of iNKT cells as a unique and powerful modality in immune regulation,” said Jennifer Buell, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of MiNK Therapeutics. “The work led by Dr. Gumperz and her team at the University of Wisconsin has provided important mechanistic insights into how allo-iNKT cells may not only prevent graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) but also improve the success of engraftment. Through our preclinical and clinical collaboration, we aim to address the needs of the nearly 50% of patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplants who are at risk for this serious and potentially life-threatening complication. This award both validates the promise of our iNKT platform and accelerates its development in a high-priority area of unmet medical need.”

GvHD is a severe immune complication that can occur after allogeneic HSCT, often leading to multi-organ damage and high mortality. iNKT cells are uniquely suited for this setting due to their natural ability to regulate immune responses, promote tissue repair, and suppress inflammatory pathways.

“Our partnership with MiNK unites their cutting-edge iNKT manufacturing with our deep expertise in transplant immunology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison,” said Jenny E. Gumperz, PhD, Professor of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. “iNKT cells can calm the destructive allo-immune response that drives GvHD, while preserving the patient’s ability to fight infection—a balance current therapies struggle to achieve. NIAID’s support allows us to speed this science toward the clinic and, ultimately, give transplant patients a safer path to long-term survival.”

About MiNK Therapeutics

MiNK Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of allogeneic invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapies and precision-targeted immune technologies. MiNK’s proprietary platform is designed to restore immune balance and drive cytotoxic immune responses across cancer, immune-mediated diseases, and pulmonary immune failure. MiNK’s lead asset, AGENT-797, is an off-the-shelf, allogeneic iNKT cell therapy currently in clinical development for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), solid tumors, and critical pulmonary immune collapse. MiNK is also advancing a pipeline of T cell receptor (TCR)-based therapies and neoantigen discovery tools that enable tumor- and tissue-specific immune activation with broad potential application. With a scalable, cryopreserved manufacturing process and a differentiated mechanism that bridges innate and adaptive immunity, MiNK is committed to developing next-generation immune reconstitution therapies that are accessible, durable, and applicable across a wide range of indications. For more information, visit https://minktherapeutics.com or @MiNK_iNKT. Information that may be important to investors will be routinely posted on our website and social media channels.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the therapeutic potential, anticipated benefit, plans and timelines of iNKT cells, as well as the collaboration between MiNK and Agenus. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the factors described under the Risk Factors section of the most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and the S-1 Registration Statement filed with the SEC. MiNK cautions investors not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and MiNK and Agenus with no obligation to update or revise the statements, other than to the extent required by law. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

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1. Gumpertz et al., Harnessing invariant natural killer T cells to control pathological inflammation. Frontiers. 2022.
2. Gumpertz et al., iNKT cells coordinate immune pathways to enable engraftment in nonconditioned hosts. Life Sciences Alliance. 2021.

FAQ

What is the purpose of MiNK Therapeutics' NIAID grant for INKT stock?

The NIAID grant supports the development of MiNK's allo-iNKT cell therapy platform for preventing and treating graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in stem cell transplant patients.

How many patients could benefit from MiNK Therapeutics' GvHD treatment?

Nearly 50% of patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplants are at risk for GvHD, representing the potential patient population for MiNK's treatment.

What makes MiNK Therapeutics' iNKT cell therapy unique for GvHD treatment?

iNKT cells can regulate immune responses and suppress inflammation while preserving the patient's ability to fight infections, a balance current therapies struggle to achieve.

Who is MiNK Therapeutics collaborating with for the GvHD treatment development?

MiNK Therapeutics is collaborating with the University of Wisconsin, combining MiNK's iNKT manufacturing capabilities with the university's transplant immunology expertise.

What is the significance of the NIAID grant for INKT investors?

The grant provides non-dilutive funding and validates MiNK's technology, while accelerating development in a high-priority area without additional shareholder dilution.