Leman Biotech, a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing next-generation immunotherapies, announced that it has been nominated for the “Best Startup” award at the 2026 Prix Galien USA, one of the most prestigious honors in the global biopharmaceutical industry.

The nomination recognizes Leman Biotech's sustained innovation and clinical translation capabilities in metabolic reprogramming and next-generation cell therapies, particularly its proprietary META 10 platform designed to overcome T-cell exhaustion—a key bottleneck limiting the durability and efficacy of current immunotherapies. This recognition further underscores the growing international acknowledgment of the company's scientific vision and its potential to reshape the treatment landscape for patients with cancers and autoimmune diseases.

META 10 Platform and Lead Product Candidate
Leman Biotech's proprietary META 10 metabolic reprogramming platform is engineered to reverse terminal T-cell exhaustion by restoring proliferative capacity, cytotoxicity, and long-term immune memory. Built upon this platform, the company has established a diversified pipeline across hematologic, autoimmune, and solid tumor indications, alongside a proprietary, low-cost automated manufacturing platform.

META 10-19, the lead metabolically armored CD19 CAR-T candidate, is being evaluated in investigator-initiated trials (IITs) for relapsed/refractory (r/r) B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), r/r diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), pediatric B-ALL, indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma (MM), and moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at leading Chinese academic hospitals.

META 10-19 has received U.S. FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) clearances for two indications:

• Relapsed or refractory CD19-positive B-cell hematologic malignancies
• SLE and lupus nephritis (LN)

Differentiated Profile in Autoimmune Disease
In exploratory clinical studies in patients with moderate-to-severe SLE, META 10-19 demonstrated a differentiated treatment paradigm characterized by ultra-low dosing and the elimination of washout, lymphodepletion, and leukapheresis. At doses as low as 0.1% of conventional commercial CAR-T dosing, patients achieved DORIS-defined remission following a single infusion without requiring lymphodepleting chemotherapy or interruption of prior therapies. These findings point to a significant reduction in treatment-related toxicity, the potential for shorter hospital stays, and the prospect of more convenient outpatient administration.

Peer-Reviewed Clinical Validation
The clinical potential of the META 10 platform has been further validated through investigator-initiated trials (IITs) in hematologic malignancies, demonstrating superior efficacy and a favorable safety profile at ultra-low dosing, which has great potential to reduce CAR-T production costs and increase accessibility for patients worldwide:

• Full results from studies in r/r B-ALL were published in The Lancet Haematology.
• Full results from studies in r/r DLBCL were published in JAMA Oncology.

These publications underscore the platform's scientific rigor and translational relevance across multiple disease settings.

About the Prix Galien USA
Established in 1970 and named after Galen, the ancient Greek physician and pioneer of pharmacology, the Prix Galien is widely regarded as the highest honor in biomedical research and innovation—often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Medicine." The Prix Galien USA recognizes excellence across multiple categories, including Best Biotechnology Product, Best Pharmaceutical Product, Best Product for Rare/Orphan Diseases, Best Medical Technology, Best Digital Health Solution, and Best Startup. The complete list of 2026 nominees and laureates is available at The Galien Foundation.