WindMIL Therapeutics

About WindMIL Therapeutics

WindMIL Therapeutics, founded in 2015 by Dr. Ivan Borrello and Dr. Kimberly Noonan from Johns Hopkins University, is a clinical-stage biotechnology company centered on developing a novel class of autologous cell therapies. The company's work originated from over two decades of research by Dr. Noonan into the role of T cells in bone marrow for creating tumor-specific immunotherapies. A pivotal discovery was made in 2004 when Noonan and Borrello shifted their focus from peripheral blood to bone marrow, finding that it contains a higher number of antigen-specific memory T cells that can be activated to eliminate cancer cells. This finding forms the basis of the company's core technology.

The business operates in the oncology and biotechnology sectors, developing personalized cancer immunotherapies. Its primary focus is on a proprietary product called Marrow-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (MILs™), which are T cells derived from a patient's own bone marrow. WindMIL's process involves extracting, activating, and expanding these memory T cells, which are inherently tumor-specific. This autologous approach means the therapy is tailored to each individual patient's cancer. The company's revenue model is based on the development and eventual commercialization of these cell therapies. Clinical trials are a major part of its operations, targeting various cancers.

WindMIL's main offering is its MILs™ cell therapy platform. A key benefit of using bone marrow-derived T cells is their natural tumor-specificity and long-term persistence, with initial clinical trials showing activity up to eight years after infusion. These cells are considered highly cytotoxic, meaning they are efficient at killing a broad spectrum of cancer cells. The company is investigating MILs™ as both non-gene-modified therapeutics and as a cell source for CAR-T therapy, creating what they term CAR-MILs™. Clinical studies have explored the use of MILs™ in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), multiple myeloma, breast cancer, and glioblastoma, among other solid tumors. For its NSCLC program, WindMIL has engaged in a Phase 2 clinical trial assessing MILs™ in combination with the anti-PD-1 product nivolumab. The company has raised significant capital to fund its clinical programs, including a $32.5 million Series B financing round in 2018.