Zelluna ASA (OSE:ZLNA), a Norway-based company pioneering allogeneic "off-the-shelf" T Cell Receptor-based Natural Killer (TCR-NK) cells for the treatment of cancer, on Monday announced a collaboration with Etcembly Ltd to develop AI-enabled T cell receptors for use in Zelluna's TCR-NK cell therapy platform targeting solid cancers.

The partnership will focus on engineering high-affinity receptors against KKLC1, a validated cancer antigen present in multiple difficult-to-treat solid tumours. Etcembly will apply machine learning-driven in-silico engineering to improve receptor specificity, potency, and development efficiency. Zelluna will retain full ownership of the engineered receptors, with in-vitro safety, specificity, and functional activity data expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.

This programme expands Zelluna's pipeline beyond MAGE-A4, building on earlier receptor engineering that underpins its lead candidate ZI-MA4-1. In February 2026, ZI-MA4-1 received authorisation from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to begin clinical testing. By targeting KKLC1, the company aims to broaden its therapeutic reach across additional solid tumour indications. The initiative supports the continued development of Zelluna's allogeneic off-the-shelf TCR-NK platform for cancer treatment.