Axis Therapeutics Limited, a joint venture between Athenex (NASDAQ: ATNX) and Xiangxue Life Sciences Limited (“XLifeSc”) focused on the research, development, and commercialization efforts of XlifeSc’s T cell receptor-engineered T cells (TCR-T Therapy, a TAEST technology), today announced that it has entered into a research collaboration with PharmaEssentia Corporation (Taipei Exchange: 6446) involving TCR-T technology in Taiwan.

Under the terms of the agreement, Axis Therapeutics and PharmaEssentia shall collaborate to conduct an initial clinical study of Axis Therapeutics’ TCRT-ESO-A2 therapy, targeting solid tumors that are NY-ESO-1 positive in HLA-A*02:01 positive patients, and to manufacture the investigational products, in Taiwan. PharmaEssentia will be responsible for all activities relating to the clinical development in Taiwan.