Shares of MiNK Therapeutics Inc. (INKT) have surged over 175% to reach $21 in premarket trading, triggered by a significant update on the company’s investigational cell therapy, AgenT-797. This therapy, an allogeneic off-the-shelf invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cell treatment, is currently under investigation in a phase I trial aimed at patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors, alongside a phase II trial focusing on second-line gastric cancer.
A landmark case detailed in a recent publication in the journal Oncogene has showcased the potential of AgenT-797. A patient suffering from metastatic, treatment-resistant testicular cancer achieved a complete and lasting remission following the administration of AgenT-797, remaining free of the disease for over two years post-treatment. This remarkable outcome underscores the unique capabilities of MiNK’s iNKT platform in targeting solid tumors that do not respond to standard therapies or immunotherapies.
Benjamin Garmezy, Assistant Director of Genitourinary Research at Sarah Cannon Research Institute, highlighted the significance of this case, stating, “This case exemplifies the powerful potential of iNKT cells in treating even the most challenging cancers. We observed a remarkable response in a patient who had exhausted standard and experimental treatments, offering compelling evidence to further pursue clinical studies of iNKT cell therapies in solid tumors.”
In addition, another report published in Oncogene documented a separate case where a patient with metastatic gastric cancer experienced a 42% reduction in tumor size and over nine months of progression-free survival after a single infusion of AgenT-797 combined with Bristol-Myers Squibb’s cancer drug Opdivo. The ongoing phase II trial for gastric cancer is currently enrolling participants.
As of March 31, 2025, MiNK Therapeutics reported a cash balance of $3.2 million. Over the past year, INKT’s stock has fluctuated between $4.56 and $13.79, closing the previous day at $7.73, a gain of 6.16%.
The promising results of AgenT-797 not only inspire hope for patients facing tough diagnoses but also indicate a transformative shift in cancer treatment options, particularly in targeting aggressive and resistant solid tumors.