Since its founding in 2018, Notch Therapeutics has been on a mission to transform the cellular immunotherapy landscape. With operations spanning Toronto, Vancouver, and Seattle, the company is dedicated to unlocking the full potential of T cell therapies by making them more drug-like, affordable, and accessible. Co-founded by renowned scientist Peter Zandstra, Notch is leveraging cutting-edge technology and proprietary processes to redefine cancer and autoimmune disease treatments.

At the heart of Notch’s innovation is its UNi-T Cell platform, a groundbreaking solution derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This approach has the potential to make transformative therapies widely available and accessible to patients, addressing the persistent challenges of variability, cost, and scalability in current CAR-T cell therapies.

The Promise of iPSC-Derived T Cells

T cell therapies have emerged as a game-changer in treating complex diseases like blood cancers, yet current methods come with significant limitations. CAR-T therapies, for instance, require harvesting and genetically modifying T cells from individual patients—a costly, time-intensive, and variable process.

Notch’s solution? A universal, allogeneic T cell platform that eliminates the need for patient-specific cell sourcing and modification. Instead, the company’s proprietary iPSC engineering platform generates standardized T cells, which can be mass-produced and stored for use at the time of diagnosis.

This approach, embodied in the UNi-T Cell, delivers three key benefits:

1. Uniformity: UNi-T Cells are uniformly engineered, ensuring consistent potency and safety across batches.

2. Affordability: Scalable manufacturing processes drastically reduce costs, making treatments more accessible.

3. Durability: Robust in vivo testing has demonstrated that UNi-T Cells provide durable and effective tumor control, outperforming traditional CAR-T therapies in early studies.

“Our goal is to make cellular immunotherapy more drug-like—shelf-stable, standardized, and ready for immediate use,” says Peter Zandstra. “This is the future of cancer treatment, where patients don’t have to wait weeks or months for a customized therapy.”

Breakthroughs in Tumor Control

Notch’s commitment to innovation is evident in the remarkable performance of its UNi-T Cells in preclinical testing. Recent studies showed that CAR UNi-T Cells were able to eliminate tumors within the first week of treatment, achieving complete remission that persisted over time. These cells expand safely in response to antigens, target and destroy diseased cells, and effectively traffic to disease sites.

Crucially, Notch’s engineering platform also incorporates novel approaches to protect UNi-T Cells from a patient’s immune system. This eliminates the need for toxic lymphodepleting chemotherapy, further improving the patient experience.

The versatility of the UNi-T platform also positions it as a foundation for addressing a broad range of diseases. For example, Notch’s CD19+CD20 CAR UNi-T product, currently in preclinical development, is being evaluated for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and autoimmune disorders. Additional oncology candidates, including a DLL3 CAR product for small-cell lung cancer, are in the discovery phase.

Revolutionizing Manufacturing for Accessibility

The cost and complexity of manufacturing have long been barriers to the widespread adoption of cell therapies. Notch’s innovative bioreactor technology and proprietary manufacturing processes offer a solution by enabling unprecedented scalability.

Unlike traditional methods that rely on viral vectors, Notch employs a CRISPR-based platform to engineer its T cells, minimizing safety risks while enhancing precision. This regulatory-compliant, small-footprint technology enables the production of large volumes of consistent, high-quality cells at a fraction of the cost of existing therapies.

“By addressing the commercial and economic challenges of CAR-T therapies, we’re creating a path for more patients to access life-saving treatments,” Zandstra explains. “This is about democratizing advanced therapies for a much larger population.”

Strategic Footprint and Commitment to Indigenous Lands

Notch’s three operational sites in Vancouver, Seattle, and Toronto reflect a strategic focus on research, development, and advanced manufacturing. Each location plays a unique role in the company’s mission:

• Vancouver serves as the hub for systems biology, driving foundational research.

• Seattle is home to product development and preclinical sciences, advancing therapies toward clinical trials.

• Toronto specializes in advanced cell manufacturing and additional preclinical development.

The company’s locations also stand as a testament to its commitment to the communities in which it operates. Notch acknowledges the traditional and unceded territories of the Indigenous Nations on which its facilities are built, honoring their stewardship and history.

Collaborations and Pipeline Potential

Partnerships are integral to Notch’s strategy for accelerating innovation and maximizing impact. The company’s collaboration with Allogene Therapeutics, a leader in allogeneic cell therapy, is focused on developing iPSC-derived T cell therapies that expand the boundaries of cancer treatment.

Additionally, Notch is open to further partnerships to explore the full potential of its platform. With a pipeline capable of supporting multiple therapeutic candidates, the company is positioned to serve a wide range of patient populations across oncology and autoimmune diseases.

Addressing a Critical Gap in Cancer Therapy

The potential for CAR-T therapies to treat a broader spectrum of diseases is immense, yet less than six percent of eligible patients currently receive these treatments. High costs, long manufacturing timelines, and logistical challenges often prevent timely access, leaving a significant unmet need.

Notch’s UNi-T platform addresses these barriers head-on. By creating a cost-effective, scalable, and readily available therapy, the company is unlocking new opportunities to enhance patient outcomes and improve healthcare equity.

“Cancer doesn’t wait for weeks of manufacturing,” says Zandstra. “With UNi-T, we’re creating a paradigm where patients receive the right treatment when they need it most—immediately after diagnosis.”

A Vision for the Future

As Notch continues to advance its pipeline and scale its manufacturing capabilities, the company remains steadfast in its mission to revolutionize cell therapy. By combining scientific excellence with an unwavering commitment to patient access, Notch is paving the way for a new era of cancer and autoimmune disease treatment.

From its roots in Vancouver, Toronto, and Seattle to its global ambitions, Notch is setting the standard for what’s possible in cellular immunotherapy. With its innovative platform, strategic partnerships, and focus on scalability, the company is poised to make a lasting impact on healthcare and patients worldwide.

Notch Therapeutics stands as a beacon of innovation in the biotech sector, delivering on the promise of cell therapy for all. Through its UNi-T Cell platform, the company is not only addressing the limitations of current CAR-T therapies but also charting a bold course toward a future where advanced treatments are accessible to every patient in need.

With a firm foundation in science, a commitment to equity, and an eye on scalability, Notch is truly reshaping the landscape of cellular immunotherapy—one UNi-T Cell at a time.

Peter Zandstra, Co-Founder

“With UNi-T, we’re creating a paradigm where patients receive the right treatment when they need it most—immediately after diagnosis.”