The therapy centres on genetically modified immune cells that specifically attack cancer cells. TK 6302 was developed using the CRISPR gene scissors and is aimed at the cancer target PRAME, a protein found in many aggressive tumour types, including lung, ovarian, skin and breast cancer. The modified T-cells have been additionally equipped with several biological functions designed to increase their resistance and efficacy in tumour tissue. According to the company, preclinical studies show particularly strong and sustained activity of the cells against tumour models. The therapy was able to destroy cancer cells over several cycles and remained active even in complex, three-dimensional tissue models. With the start of the ATLAS study, the company will become a clinical developer for the first time. For the industry, the step is seen as an important test of whether new CRISPR-based cell therapies can also work on solid tumours, an area in which previous immunotherapies often reach their limits.
Press release from "T-knife Therapeutics" dated 3 March 2026