WindMIL Therapeutics Announces $32.5 Million in Series B Financing

Memory T cells are believed to generate the immune system’s most effective killers, and the role of the bone marrow in the formation and maintenance of memory T cells has become increasingly well-understood. Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated the bone marrow of patients with both hematologic and solid tumors contain memory T cells that can recognize and destroy tumor cells. WindMIL’s founders, Ivan Borrello, M.D. and Kim Noonan, Ph.D., have perfected an efficient and rapid process to extract, activate and expand these bone marrow-derived T cells. The result of this process is called Marrow Infiltrating Lymphocytes or MILs™. WindMIL is developing MILs™ in several embodiments to treat cancer.

“This round of funding will support the continued development of MILs™ both in their unmodified and genetically-modified forms,” said Brian Halak, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of WindMIL. “A Phase 2, multi-center, randomized investigator-sponsored trial is underway treating high-risk multiple myeloma. In the near future, we plan to begin clinical trials to study MILs™ in solid tumors. Preclinically, we are excited by the data we have been generating to demonstrate MILs™ as a superior cell source to produce next generation CAR-T cells. Finally, we are exploring proprietary gene modifications designed to counteract immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments.”

WindMIL also announced the appointment of Qiming’s Mark McDade and Anna French, Ph.D. to the company’s Board of Directors.

“Mark McDade brings deep experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors to WindMIL, having held senior management positions in both start-up companies and established global commercial organizations,” said Don Hayden, Chairman of the Board of WindMIL Therapeutics. “Dr. Anna French is an experienced strategic advisor to leading biopharma companies and brings a strong scientific background in stem cell research to the Board. We look forward to their contributions as WindMIL advances our clinical programs.”

Mark McDade commented, “WindMIL has something truly unique in the cell therapy space – the ability to reactivate and expand a naturally occurring, tumor-specific population of central memory cells. We look forward to helping the team advance this important technology in several transformative means to address the needs of patients battling cancer.”

About WindMIL Therapeutics
When it comes to cell therapy – cell source matters. At WindMIL, we are harnessing the power of bone marrow derived lymphocytes to develop ground-breaking immunotherapies to treat cancer patients. The bone marrow is a natural reservoir of T cells with unique advantages including inherent tumor-specificity, high cytotoxic potential, and long persistence. We have perfected an efficient and rapid process to extract, activate and expand these cells. We call the result of this process MILs™. Our lead program is in a Phase 2 study in high-risk multiple myeloma with additional programs in solid tumors using MILs™ advancing to the clinic. We are also advancing programs to supercharge MILs™ through genetic-modification.

For more information, please visit: https://windmiltherapeutics.com

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