Australian biotechnology company Cartherics has been recognised as a regional leader in cell and gene therapy, winning the award for ‘Most Promising iPSC Therapy Pipeline in APAC’ at the Asia Pacific Cell and Gene Therapy Excellence Awards 2025 in Singapore.
The accolade, decided by votes from more than 10,000 professionals across the cell and gene therapy sector, underscores Cartherics’ growing reputation for advancing induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived immunotherapies for women’s health. The company’s lead programs target ovarian cancer and endometriosis, which are diseases where treatment options remain limited and the unmet medical need is high.
iPSC-derived natural killer (NK) cells are emerging as a breakthrough in immunotherapy, offering a consistent, renewable, and genetically modifiable source of immune cells. Unlike traditional donor-derived NK cells, they can be produced at scale and tailored to improve therapeutic impact.
Cartherics’ lead candidate, CTH-401, is the only NK cell therapy currently in development incorporating a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that targets the adenocarcinoma-specific antigen TAG-72. The company plans to submit an IND application, with relapsed and refractory ovarian cancer as the initial clinical indication, followed by development for endometriosis.
COO Dr Ian Nisbet said the award reflects years of innovation. “We are delighted to receive this recognition of the technology platform and pipeline we’ve built since founding Cartherics. We believe our platform has the potential to deliver multiple products to enhance the lives of patients, particularly women battling diseases like ovarian cancer and endometriosis.”
Beyond CTH-401, Cartherics is expanding its pipeline into therapies for other solid tumours, including triple-negative breast cancer, as well as non-oncological conditions. The company says this breadth demonstrates the versatility of its iPSC platform and its potential to reshape treatment options across multiple underserved diseases.