Bellicum Pharmaceuticals Inc - BLCM stock
Description[edit]
Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative cellular immunotherapies for hematological cancers and solid tumors, with clinical product candidates, including BPX-601 and BPX-603, in Phase 1/2 trials for the treatment of specific tumor types expressing relevant antigens. The company has established collaboration and license agreements with various organizations in the field of immunotherapy. It was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.[1]
Origin[edit]
Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 2004 by Dr. Kevin M. Slawin, Dr. Helen Heslop, and Dr. Malcolm K. Brenner, along with a team of researchers and scientists with expertise in the field of cellular immunotherapy.[2] The founders recognized the potential of cellular immunotherapies, which involve harnessing the power of the body's immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. They aimed to develop innovative therapies that could overcome some of the limitations of traditional cancer treatments and provide new hope for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. Bellicum Pharmaceuticals focused on researching and developing advanced technologies to engineer immune cells, such as T cells, to specifically target cancer cells and enhance their ability to eliminate tumors effectively.[3]
Over the years, the company has made significant advancements in the field of cellular immunotherapy and has developed a portfolio of product candidates targeting various cancer types. These candidates include BPX-601 and BPX-603, which are autologous GoCAR-T product candidates designed to treat solid tumors expressing specific antigens, such as the prostate stem cell antigen and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 antigen.[3]
Bellicum Pharmaceuticals has collaborated with several organizations, including Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc, Agensys, Inc., BioVec Pharma, Inc., ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Baylor College of Medicine, to further advance its research and development efforts.[3]
Through its commitment to scientific innovation and dedication to improving cancer treatment options, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals continues to be at the forefront of cellular immunotherapy research, striving to make a meaningful impact on the lives of cancer patients.[3]
Products[edit]
BPX-601[edit]
BPX-601 is a product candidate which is an adoptive T cell therapy that employs the company's proprietary GoCAR-T technology. GoCAR-T technology integrates a chemical induction switch into CAR-T cells. This switch can modulate the activity and proliferation of these modified T cells upon the administration of rimiducid, a small molecule drug. Essentially, it allows for the "on-demand" activation and expansion of CAR-T cells, potentially leading to more efficient tumor targeting and reduced side effects. BPX-601 specifically targets prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), which is an antigen expressed in multiple solid tumors, including pancreatic, gastric, and prostate cancers. The therapy's "switch" mechanism might provide a way to overcome the challenges posed by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which can limit the efficacy of other CAR-T therapies.[4]
BPX-603[edit]
BPX-603 is designed using the company's Dual Switch GoCAR-NK platform, which represents an evolution in the field of cell therapies by introducing not one, but two activation switches.
Here's a breakdown of the BPX-603 approach:
- Target: BPX-603 targets the solid tumors that express the HER2 antigen. HER2 is an established target in oncology and is associated with several cancers, including certain types of breast, gastric, and bladder cancers.
- Dual Switch Technology: The unique aspect of BPX-603 is its dual-switch mechanism. The first switch (iMC) is designed to promote CAR-NK cell persistence and the potent killing of target cells. The second switch (Rimiducid or AP1903) is used to promote the expansion of these modified CAR-NK cells. This dual switch aims to provide enhanced control over the CAR-NK cell's activity and proliferation, which can be critical in managing the balance between efficacy and potential side effects.
By having this dual-switch mechanism, Bellicum aims to address some of the limitations and challenges seen with other cell therapies, particularly in the realm of solid tumors.[4]
Financial Performance[edit]
Financial performance for Bellicum Pharmaceuticals:[5]
| Year Ending | Total Revenue | Net Income | Earnings per Share | Total Liabilities | Cash Balance |
| 12/31/2022 | $1,500,000 | ($24,973,000) | ($0.81) | $3,772,000 | $21,837,000 |
| 12/31/2021 | $6,200,000 | ($9,705,000) | ($0.84) | $6,712,000 | $47,657,000 |
| 12/31/2020 | $500,000 | ($7,722,000) | ($1.34) | $25,045,000 | $36,996,000 |
| 12/31/2019 | $7,143,000 | ($112,477,000) | ($24.01) | $120,999,000 | $93,816,000 |
- ↑ Yahoo Finance. BLCM Stock Profile. Retrieved on 7/31/2023.
- ↑ Wikipedia. Kevin Slawin. Retrieved on 7/31/2023.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 bellicum.com. Home. Retrieved on 7/31/2023.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 bellicum.com. Investor Presentation. February, 2023.
- ↑ OTC Markets. BLCM Stock Financials. Retrieved on 8/17/2023.
