Akadeum Life Sciences Human T Cell Leukopak Isolation Kit Successfully Utilized by LEAH Labs and the University of Missouri to Treat Canine Cancer

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Akadeum Life Sciences is pleased to announce the completion of the first treatment of canine cancer with cells isolated using their Human T Cell Leukopak Isolation Kit. The work was led by LEAH Labs and Dr. Jeffrey Bryan, a leading veterinary oncologist at the University of Missouri. The successful treatment has significant implications for translational oncology approaches, given the ability of LEAH Labs to engineer and track human CAR-T cells in vivo.

Two of the treated dogs, Lou, a 10-year-old Beagle, and Sadie, an 8-year-old Collie/Pyrenees mix, had both been diagnosed with metastatic, multicentric diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Following infusion with CAR-T cells isolated with Akadeum's kit, both went into clinical remission with human CAR-T cells, a first in the world feat for CAR-T cell therapy in pets. Throughout the 3-week study period, measurements of tumor burden showed sharp reductions in the sum of longest diameters across multiple sites, with complete resolution of internal disease indicated by X-ray and ultrasound imaging.  PET imaging technology further demonstrated the ability to visualize the gene-edited CAR T cells in injected lymph nodes. All data will be available in the upcoming publication in progress by the group.

The findings are translatable to CAR-T treatment in humans. Akadeum's microbubble-based kits are known for isolating more viable, healthier T cells, enabling the work done by LEAH Labs. By tracking the performance of engineered T cells in dogs, LEAH Labs and its collaborators are building a foundation for innovations that may ultimately enhance the development of effective and durable T cell therapies for people battling cancer.

"Akadeum's innovative isolation technology unlocks unparalleled reproducibility in T cell engineering, enabling us to build a robust platform with which to investigate novel cellular therapies at leading veterinary institutions," said Dr. Wes Wierson, CEO of LEAH Labs. "We are excited to continue partnering with Akadeum as we develop the next generation of gene-edited cellular therapies for pets first, and their people next."

Akadeum's buoyancy-based approach to cell separation eliminates the need for traditional magnetic methods, leveraging gentle flotation for the preservation of cell health and function to enable more effective complex therapies such as CAR T and other T cell–based treatments.

"LEAH Labs' successful application of human-focused technology in a veterinary setting underscores the versatility and impact of our platform to further cell therapy research," said Akadeum's CEO Brandon McNaughton, Ph.D.  "We are pleased to support their important work in advancing novel cancer therapies for companion animals."

About Akadeum Life Sciences
Akadeum Life Sciences is dedicated to advancing cell separation technology through its unique buoyant microbubble platform, enabling researchers and manufacturers to achieve higher purity, better viability, and improved process simplicity across a range of life science applications. Our mission is to create separation technologies to advance human health. We envision a world where innovative separations empower researchers and clinicians to unlock breakthroughs in diagnostics, therapeutics, and basic research. For more information, visit www.akadeum.com.

About LEAH Labs
LEAH Labs is building living therapies for pets first, and their people next. We're first focused on bringing to market Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell therapy to disrupt the current treatment paradigm for dogs with B cell lymphoma, the clinical analog of CAR-T curable non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in humans. Underpinning LEAH Labs' ability to bring CAR-T to dogs is a patented, virus-free gene integration technology, GeneWeld. Leveraging our core technology, an unmet need for improved canine cancer therapies, a favorable regulatory environment under the USDA-CVB, a network of innovative veterinary oncologists, and pet owners eager for the best possible care, LEAH Labs is uniquely positioned to rapidly iterate and innovate on CAR-T cell therapy in natural cancers like no one else in the world. This approach allows for a 1,000x reduction in CAR-T cell therapy development and clinical trial costs when compared to FDA-regulated cell therapies in human patients and will ultimately lead to rapid identification of better therapies that impact both ends of the leash.

Media contact:

Akadeum Life Sciences
Brandon McNaughton, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
[email protected]

Media Contact:

LEAH Labs
Wes Wierson, PhD
CEO
[email protected]

SOURCE Akadeum Life Sciences Inc