By: Crystal Carter
Inventor Turns Breakthrough Treg Cell Therapy Into Hope for Patients with Devastating Diseases
Dr. Simrit Parmar, recently joined Faculty in the College of Medicine at Texas A&M University and founder of the clinical-stage biotech company Cellenkos Inc., is leading a paradigm shift in how autoimmune and inflammatory diseases are treated. With her development of umbilical cord blood-derived T regulatory (Treg) cell therapy, Dr. Parmar is addressing conditions where conventional treatments have failed—and giving patients renewed hope.
Her story began not in the lab, but at the bedside.
The Motivation: A Calling Born in the Clinic
“To improve patient lives, to make a meaningful difference.” That’s how Dr. Parmar describes her mission.
As a stem cell transplant physician at MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), Dr. Parmar witnessed firsthand both the triumph and tragedy of cancer treatment. One of the hardest parts, she recalls, was watching patients who beat cancer succumb to graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)—a deadly complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation where the donor’s immune cells attack the recipient’s body.
“These senseless deaths haunted me,” she says. “It seemed unfair.”
Determined to find a solution, she began developing T regulatory cell therapies—a powerful tool capable of calming the immune system without compromising its ability to fight cancer. Her innovation: sourcing Treg cells from umbilical cord blood (CB), which are naturally wired to resolve inflammation without becoming harmful themselves. This approach sidesteps the dangers posed by adult-derived Tregs, which carry the risk to turn pro-inflammatory.
From Discovery to Commercialization: Founding Cellenkos Inc.
Dr. Parmar’s lab at MDACC translated its early discoveries into a first-in-human Phase 1/2 trial using CB-derived Tregs to prevent GVHD. The therapy showed early promising results propelling her to launch Cellenkos Inc. in 2016 to accelerate their clinical development and bring these therapies to the broader public.
Today, her team has treated more than 80 patients across multiple conditions, including Aplastic Anemia, Myelofibrosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).
Transformative Potential: How the World Will Change If She Succeeds
The company’s lead candidate, CK0801 Tregs, has already received FDA Orphan Drug Designation for treatment of Aplastic Anemia—a rare but life-threatening bone marrow failure disorder. “If approved,” she says, “CK0801 will unshackle patients from lifelong transfusions and offer a new standard of care.”
But that’s just the beginning.
Dr. Parmar and her team are also advancing:
- CK0804 for Myelofibrosis patients who have failed JAK inhibitor therapy
- CK0803 for ALS, showing promise in stabilizing disease and reducing plasma neurofilament levels
- Early proof-of-concept for Alzheimer’s Disease and undisclosed indications
- Development of genetically engineered Tregs targeting antigens in T-cell lymphoma and Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma
“If we succeed, millions of lives could be improved—organically, systematically, and without significant side effects,” she says.
Looking Ahead: The Next 5 Years of Innovation
Dr. Parmar’s roadmap is ambitious—and well underway. She now brings her energy and drive to Texas A&M where she will continue advancing promising technologies.
🔹 CK0801 will soon enter a pivotal Phase II trial for Aplastic Anemia, with the goal of FDA approval in three years, followed by expanded indications.
🔹 CK0803 is expected to reach Phase III trials for ALS, with Alzheimer’s trials on the horizon.
🔹 CK0804 is on track for Myelofibrosis approval, after which testing will expand into frontline settings.
🔹 On the research side, genetically modified cord blood Tregs targeting tumor antigens will enter development for inflammation-driven lymphomas.
Innovation with Purpose
What makes Dr. Parmar’s work stand out isn’t just the science—it’s the heart behind it. Driven by loss, fueled by compassion, and guided by rigorous research, she has turned personal heartbreak into a platform for hope through her pioneering work in cord blood Treg therapy and dedication to translating research into impact.
As her therapies advance through clinical trials and inch closer to regulatory approval, Dr. Parmar is showing the world what’s possible when innovation begins with empathy—and ends with saving lives.
Texas A&M Innovation is excited to welcome Dr. Parmar and looks forward to partnering with her on new innovations she develops through her work at A&M.
