Artiva Biotherapeutics (ARTV) TD Cowen 45th Annual Healthcare Conference summary

Company overview and strategy

• Focuses on allogeneic NK cell therapy for autoimmune diseases and cancer, leveraging technology from a Korean spinout.

• Lead program AlloNK is a non-genetically engineered, off-the-shelf NK cell combined with monoclonal antibodies.

• Manufacturing process enables high scalability and low cost, with drug product stability exceeding three years.

• Sourcing from umbilical cord blood with high affinity CD16 and KIR-B haplotype enhances efficacy.

• Projected cost of goods is under $1,000 per billion cells, supporting commercial scalability.

Clinical development and data

• AlloNK is in Phase I trials for multiple autoimmune indications, with initial data expected in the first half of the year.

• Prior data in aggressive NHL patients showed deep and durable B cell depletion, mirroring auto CAR T outcomes.

• Majority of NHL patients were treated outpatient, with a median hospital stay of three nights for those admitted.

• Ongoing trials include a company-sponsored lupus study and a basket IIT in community rheumatology, exploring multiple indications.

• Trials use reduced doses of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide, aiming for improved safety and outpatient administration.

Mechanism of action and differentiation

• AlloNK enhances ADCC of monoclonal antibodies, allowing flexibility to target various B cell compartments.

• High affinity CD16 on NK cells is linked to better outcomes in both oncology and autoimmune settings.

• NK cell therapy avoids the CRS risks seen with T cell therapies, supporting use in community settings.

• Ability to decouple activity from tolerability positions AlloNK favorably versus T cell engagers and CAR Ts.

• No tocilizumab was needed in oncology trials, highlighting a favorable safety profile.