Incysus Therapeutics

About Incysus Therapeutics

Incysus Therapeutics, which rebranded as IN8bio, Inc. in August 2020, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing a portfolio of cell therapies for cancer treatment. The company was co-founded in 2016 by William Ho, who serves as President and CEO, and Dr. Lawrence Lamb, the Chief Scientific Officer. Ho brings nearly 24 years of experience in biotechnology finance, investment, and management, having previously founded AlephPoint Capital and held roles at New Leaf Venture Partners, Bank of America, and Piper Jaffray. Dr. Lamb is a recognized pioneer in gamma-delta T cell biology, with his foundational research identifying their anti-leukemic effects forming a cornerstone of the company's science. His extensive background includes serving as a Professor of Medicine and Director of the Cell Therapy Laboratory at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

The company's core focus is on developing and commercializing therapies using gamma-delta (γδ) T cells, a type of immune cell that can distinguish between healthy and diseased tissue, acting as a bridge between the innate and adaptive immune systems. IN8bio's proprietary DeltEx™ platform technology is used to develop ex vivo expanded and genetically modified γδ T cell candidates. A key element of their strategy is creating Drug Resistant Immunotherapy (DRI), which involves genetically engineering these T cells to be resistant to chemotherapy. This allows the cells to survive and function alongside standard chemotherapy regimens, which can otherwise deplete the very immune cells needed to fight cancer.

The business model centers on the discovery, development, and eventual commercialization of these cell therapies to treat both solid and hematological tumors. The company has advanced several product candidates into clinical trials. Its initial programs targeted leukemia, lymphoma, and glioblastoma (GBM), a difficult-to-treat brain tumor. In February 2020, Incysus initiated Phase 1 clinical trials for treating leukemia patients undergoing stem cell transplants and for patients with newly diagnosed GBM. The GBM trial was the first to use a genetically modified γδ T cell product candidate in the clinic. While these programs showed initial promise, the company announced a strategic restructuring in September 2024 to reduce its workforce by 49% and pause enrollment in its glioblastoma programs to focus resources on advancing its allogeneic cell therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), INB-100, towards a registrational trial.