BOSTON, Nov. 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sensei Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNSE), an immuno-oncology company focused on the discovery and development of next-generation therapeutics for cancer patients, today announced it has entered into a Sponsored Research Agreement with Washington University in St. Louis, MO, to support development of SNS-101, a conditionally active VISTA-blocking antibody.

Research will be conducted in the laboratory of Robert Schreiber, Ph.D., Professor of Pathology & Immunology and Director of the Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, to evaluate the underlying molecular mechanisms that enable SNS-101 to overcome myeloid cell-driven immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment.

“In addition to a deep expertise in immuno-oncology, Dr. Schreiber and his team bring extensive knowledge of the cancer model system planned for these studies as well as access to molecular characterization tools,” said Edward van der Horst, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Biologics Discovery & Early Development, at Sensei Bio. “Together, we will leverage these attributes to better understand SNS-101’s ability to modulate the tumor microenvironment and potentially achieve tumor rejection where other checkpoint therapies have failed.”

Said Dr. Schreiber, “We’re excited to partner with Sensei Bio to further our understanding of how to safely and effectively inhibit VISTA, a promising but challenging target in immuno-oncology. SNS-101 has the potential to unlock VISTA as a powerful immune checkpoint by exploiting the tumor microenvironment using pH-sensitive properties, delivering powerful anti-tumor activity without the negative effects that have thwarted past efforts.”

Sensei continues to advance SNS-101 and remains on track to submit an Investigational New Drug application (IND) for SNS-101 in the first half of 2023. The company recently presented preclinical data for the program at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 37^th Annual Meeting.

Disclosure
Dr. Schreiber receives compensation as a member of Sensei Biotherapeutics’ Immuno-Oncology Advisory Board, and this financial relationship has been disclosed to Washington University in St. Louis in accordance with institutional policy.

About Sensei Biotherapeutics
Sensei Biotherapeutics (Nasdaq: SNSE) is an immuno-oncology company focused on the discovery and development of next-generation therapeutics for cancer patients. Through its TMAb (Tumor Microenvironment Activated biologics) platform, Sensei develops conditionally active therapeutics designed to disable checkpoints and other immunosuppressive signals selectively in the tumor microenvironment to unleash T cells against tumors. Sensei’s lead investigational candidate is SNS-101, a conditionally active antibody designed to block the V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA) checkpoint selectively within the low pH tumor microenvironment, where VISTA acts as a suppressor of T cells by binding the receptor PSGL-1. The company is also developing SNS-102, a conditional binding monoclonal antibody targeting V-Set and Immunoglobulin Domain Containing 4 (VSIG-4), as well as SNS-103, also a conditionally active monoclonal antibody targeting ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1 (ENTPDase1), also known as CD39. For more information, please visit www.senseibio.com, and follow the company on Twitter @SenseiBio and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words and phrases such as “believe”, “designed to,” “expect”, “may”, “plan”, “potential”, “will”, and similar expressions, and are based on Sensei’s current beliefs and expectations. These forward-looking statements include expectations regarding the development of Sensei’s product candidates and platforms; the potential safety profile of Sensei’s product candidates; the potential benefits of Sensei’s product candidates; and the timing of an IND submission to the FDA. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially include uncertainties inherent in the development of therapeutic product candidates, such as the risk that any one or more of Sensei’s product candidates will not be successfully developed or commercialized; the risk of delay or cessation of any planned clinical trials of Sensei’s product candidates; the risk that prior results, such as signals of safety, activity or durability of effect, observed from preclinical studies will not be replicated or will not continue in ongoing or future studies or clinical trials involving Sensei’s product candidates; the risk that Sensei’s product candidates or procedures in connection with the administration thereof will not have the safety or efficacy profile that we anticipate; risks associated with Sensei’s dependence on third-party suppliers and manufacturers, including sole source suppliers, over which we may not always have full control; risks regarding the accuracy of our estimates of expenses, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; and other risks and uncertainties that are described in Sensei’s Annual Report on Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 8, 2022 and Sensei’s other Periodic Reports filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are based on information available to Sensei as of the date of this release, and Sensei assumes no obligation to, and does not intend to, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contact:
Michael Biega
Senior Director, Investor Relations
Sensei Biotherapeutics
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Media Contact:
Chris Railey
Ten Bridge Communications
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.