Lion TCR

About Lion TCR

Lion TCR is a clinical-stage biotechnology firm established in 2015 as a spin-off from Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). The company was founded by Professor Antonio Bertoletti, a world-renowned immunologist with extensive expertise in viral hepatitis and the immunopathogenesis of HBV infection. His decades of research, starting from his time as a medical student in Italy to leading immunology programs in the UK and Singapore, culminated in pioneering the use of T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cells to target virus-related cancers. This deep scientific background forms the foundation of Lion TCR's mission.

The company focuses on developing and commercializing T-cell receptor (TCR)-T cell therapies for life-threatening viral infections and cancers, particularly those prevalent in Asia. A significant portion of its work targets hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, which is heavily linked to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the region. Lion TCR's business model revolves around the clinical development of its proprietary therapies, aiming for eventual commercialization and providing new treatment options for patients with limited alternatives. The company's operations are supported by substantial venture capital funding, having raised a total of $60 million over two rounds, including a $20 million Series A in 2018 and a $40 million Series B in 2023. These funds are allocated to advancing clinical trials and establishing manufacturing facilities, such as a state-of-the-art GMP facility in China.

Lion TCR's core product is a portfolio of engineered T-cell immunotherapies, with its lead candidate being LioCyx-M004. This therapy harnesses a patient's own immune system by engineering their T-cells with specific TCRs, delivered via mRNA, to recognize and eliminate cancer cells expressing HBV antigens. This approach has received Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The company has successfully obtained FDA clearance for international multi-center clinical trials for LioCyx-M004, marking a world-first for an HBV TCR-T therapy for liver cancer. Early trials have shown promising results, with a median overall survival of 33.1 months in patients with HBV-related HCC. To bolster its pipeline, Lion TCR has built the world's largest patented HBV-specific TCR library, covering approximately 80% of the global population, and leverages an AI-driven platform for TCR discovery.