Xenetic Biosciences has extended its research collaboration with The Scripps Research Institute and the laboratory of Dr Alexey Stepanov, Institute Investigator at Scripps Research, for an additional four months, effective 1 November 2025. The partnership aims to advance the company’s R&D programme, evaluating the combined use of systemic DNase I and CAR T-cell therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers.

Xenetic’s systemic DNase I candidate, XBIO-015, is in preclinical development alongside CAR-T therapies for both haematologic and solid tumours. Preclinical studies conducted by Dr Stepanov’s team in lymphoma, metastatic melanoma and leukaemia models have shown that co-administration of DNase I with CAR-T cells significantly reduces tumour burden, decreases metastatic lesions, and markedly extends survival compared to CAR-T cell monotherapy.  

The company explains that systemic DNase I-mediated degradation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) enhances CAR-T cell efficacy, increasing the infiltration of both CAR-T cells and endogenous T cells into tumours and mitigating the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME).   

James Parslow, Interim CEO and CFO of Xenetic, said the extended partnership underscores the promise of the company’s DNase-based oncology platform.

"The expertise and dedication of the Scripps Research team to this programme further validates our belief in DNase I to improve therapeutic responses in patients undergoing CAR-T cell therapy and we look forward to continued collaboration and innovation together,” he added.

Xenetic is progressing its DNase-based technology towards Phase 1 clinical development for the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma and other locally advanced or metastatic solid tumours. Preclinical proof-of-concept studies combining DNase I with chemotherapy, immunotherapies and CAR-T therapy in hematological and solid tumour and metastatic cancer models have been completed. Building on proof-of-concept success, the programme has now advanced to mechanism-of-action and translational studies in preparation for a Phase 1 clinical trial.