Experimental Drug Development Centre (EDDC)’s Post

📢 Thrilled to announce the initiation of an NCI-funded investigator-initiated phase 1 clinical trial with mitazalimab! 📢 The trial, conducted by the Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego, will evaluate the safety and efficacy of mitazalimab when injected intratumorally at the time of surgical irreversible electroporation (IRE). Comments Alligator Bioscience AB CMO Dr Sumeet Ambarkhane, MD: "Intratumoral delivery of immunotherapy is gaining increased importance, and in the setting of localized disease provides an opportunity to efficiently activate the immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. In this investigator-initiated study, we are looking forward to evaluating the combination of mitazalimab administered directly into the tumor alongside IRE. The strong clinical data generated by mitazalimab over the last 12 months have received a great amount of interest from the scientific and medical communities. We are very pleased that an accomplished center of clinical excellence, such as Moores Cancer Center, is conducting this study, which could broaden the clinical applicability of mitazalimab in pancreatic cancer patients." More info in the press release (just follow the post link) 👉

✨ Magic Bullets: The Power of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) ✨ In the realm of modern medicine, few innovations are as promising and precise as Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs). Often dubbed "magic bullets," ADCs are a revolutionary class of targeted cancer therapies that combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the potent cell-killing ability of cytotoxic drugs. 🔬 How They Work: ADCs are designed to deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. They consist of three main components: Monoclonal Antibody: Targets a specific antigen found on cancer cells. Linker: Connects the antibody to the drug and ensures stability in the bloodstream. Cytotoxic Drug: Kills the cancer cells once inside. 🎯 Targeted Precision: The monoclonal antibody component of an ADC seeks out cancer cells by binding to antigens that are uniquely or over-expressed on their surface. Upon binding, the ADC is internalized, and the cytotoxic drug is released inside the cancer cell, leading to cell death. 💡 Clinical Impact: ADCs represent a paradigm shift in oncology, offering the potential to improve the efficacy of cancer treatment while reducing the side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy. Approved ADCs like Trastuzumab Emtansine (Kadcyla) and Brentuximab Vedotin (Adcetris) have already shown significant benefits in treating certain types of breast cancer and lymphoma, respectively. 🌍 Future Outlook: The pipeline for ADC development is robust, with numerous candidates in clinical trials targeting a wide range of cancers. As research progresses, the potential applications of ADCs continue to expand, bringing hope to patients worldwide. #AntibodyDrugConjugates #MagicBullets #Oncology #Biotechnology #PrecisionMedicine #CancerResearch

This recent article in ScienceAdvances caught my eye. The article describes the efficacy in a pancreatic cancer model of the "FL1-PNU" ADC, which comprises an anthracycline derivative payload (PNU-158692) conjugated to the anti-uPAR antibody, FL1. The reasons for the buzz around this ADC are explained by Lars Engelholm, co-author of the paper and a Group Leader at the Finsen Laboratory of the Rigshospitalet and at the Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen: "𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒕 20 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒗𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒏𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒕𝒚𝒑𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒓𝒖𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒍𝒚 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒕𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇.” This is yet another ADC innovation to come out of the Copenhagen cluster, with both Assoc. Prof. Engleholm and his co-author,Prof. Niels Behrendt, also co-founders of Adcendo. That exciting firm was in the news in just November when it completed a $135M Series B financing to support the development of its ADC pipeline #antibodydrugconjugates #uPAR #MewburnAntigenBindingMolecules

We are thrilled to share that two of our esteemed Principal Investigators, Dr. Victor Moreno and Dr. Emiliano Calvo Aller, contributed to groundbreaking research published in Nature Portfolio. The study explored the effectiveness of Cibisatamab, a novel bispecific antibody, in targeting advanced CEA-positive solid tumors. Conducted across two Phase 1 clinical trials, the research aimed to evaluate the safety, optimal dosing, and anti-tumor activity of Cibisatamab both alone and in combination with other immunotherapies. The extensive evaluation included 377 patients, revealing promising results, particularly in microsatellite stable colorectal carcinoma (MSS-CRC). The research highlighted the potential benefits of combining Cibisatamab with other treatments, marking a significant step forward in cancer immunotherapy strategies. We are incredibly proud of Dr. Moreno and Dr. Calvo's contributions to advancing cancer research and look forward to seeing further developments in this field. Stay tuned for more updates on our innovative research! https://lnkd.in/eNc7D3Nv #CancerResearch #Immunotherapy #ClinicalTrials #Cibisatamab

THIS IS THE SECOND POST WHERE WE WILL DIVE INTO OUR ONCOLOGY DRUG MBS8 AND HOW IT WORKS - STAY TUNED FOR MORE SAFETY OF TLR7 AGONISTS: A KEY TO SUCCESS IN CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY As we continue our journey to advance the field of cancer immunotherapy and highlight the innovative work at MonTa Biosciences, we are excited to share more insights into our technology, currently being tested in cancer patients. TLR7 agonists have long been recognized for their potential in treating late-stage cancers, demonstrating powerful anti-tumor activity in preclinical models. However, translating this promise into clinical success has been challenging. Many TLR7 agonists have encountered significant safety concerns early in clinical trials, primarily due to the induction of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS). This has limited the ability to escalate doses to levels that reflect the strong preclinical efficacy, presenting a considerable barrier to the development of these therapies. At MonTa Biosciences, we believe we have overcome this challenge with our drug MBS8, a lipid-formulated TLR7 agonist designed to target immune cells while minimizing interaction with non-immune cells, such as endothelial cells. This selective targeting leads to significantly lower cytokine production compared to non-lipid formulated TLR7 agonists like the benchmark TLR7 agonist Resiquimod (R848). In the left figure below, we demonstrate the superiority of MBS8 over R848, showing a 10-20 fold reduction in the induction of IL-6 and TNF-α in fresh human blood—two key cytokines driving CRS in patients. Remarkably, despite the reduced cytokine production, MBS8 exhibits significantly improved therapeutic activity in preclinical tumor models compared to an equivalent dose of R848, as shown in the right figure. These results suggest an improved Therapeutic Index for MBS8 compared to R848, and we are now seeing this enhanced safety and efficacy profile translating into the clinical setting. Stay tuned for our next update in two weeks, where we will delve deeper into the Mode of Action of MBS8 and its potential impact on cancer therapy. #CancerResearch #Immunotherapy #TLR7 #Innovation #Oncology #Biotechnology #MonTaBiosciences #ClinicalTrials

AstraZeneca announced Tuesday that its PD-L1 inhibitor Imfinzi (durvalumab) did not meet its primary endpoint in the Phase III ADJUVANT BR.31 study in early stage non-small cell lung cancer. Without revealing specific data, AstraZeneca said that Imfinzi was unable to significantly improve disease-free survival versus placebo in patients with stage IB to IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following complete tumor resection. Meanwhile, the pharma on Tuesday also reported that Imfinzi cleared the Phase III NIAGARA study in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). The PD-1 inhibitor, when combined with chemotherapy, induced a “statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement” in event-free and overall survival as compared with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. #biotech #biopharma #NSCLC #bladdercancer #Imfinzi

🚀 Anticancer Drug Breakthrough Could Supercharge Cancer Immunotherapy! A preclinical study has revealed that an emerging class of anticancer drugs called EZH2 inhibitors can dramatically enhance the effectiveness of T-cell-based immunotherapies, including CAR-T cells, against lymphomas. Published in Cancer Cell by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine, this breakthrough offers new hope for improving treatment outcomes for patients with non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas. As Dr. Wendy Béguelin, senior author of the study, noted: "These findings give us a clear path forward to improve outcomes for lymphoma patients by combining EZH2 inhibitors with existing immunotherapies." 🔑 Key Takeaways: ◾ EZH2 Inhibition Enhances Immunotherapy: EZH2 inhibitors boost the visibility of lymphoma cells to the immune system and reprogram anticancer T cells to function more effectively and durably. ◾ Remarkable Preclinical Results: Combining EZH2 inhibitors with CAR-T therapy enabled 100% survival in animal models, compared to rapid cancer recurrence with CAR-T alone. ◾ Dual Impact: EZH2 inhibition works by reducing immunosuppressive regulatory T cells and enhancing anticancer T cell function, paving the way for better patient outcomes. 🌍 Why This Matters: Immunotherapies like CAR-T have shown promise, but cancer often finds ways to evade them, leading to relapse. EZH2 inhibitors could change the game by overcoming these challenges, enhancing the potency and durability of these cutting-edge therapies. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eiNP2722 #CancerResearch #Immunotherapy #EZH2Inhibitors #CAR_T #HealthcareInnovation #ScientificBreakthrough

Cambridge-based biotech Mestag Therapeutics has shared in a £12 million Innovate UK grant to advance nextgen immunotherapies for cancer. The company has secured £1.5m of the total UK allocation. Harnessing new insights into fibroblast-immune interactions, Mestag is using the award to accelerate the development of its MST-0300 antibody. Mestag CEO Susan Hill said: “We are honoured to have been selected as a recipient for this highly competitive translational award. The presence of TLS in tumours is emerging as a key driver of improved treatment outcomes in cancer patients and our MST-0300 program, designed to induce the formation of TLS in tumours, holds important therapeutic promise.   “Leveraging the dynamic UK biotech ecosystem, the Innovate UK funding will enable us to advance MST-0300 rapidly to solid tumour patients who urgently need new treatment options.” Mestag is progressing a pipeline of sophisticated first-in-class antibodies designed to direct and drive the immune system using known and emerging fibroblast-immune biology for a distinctly differentiated class of therapeutics. Its pipeline includes MST-0300; the M402 program, targeting a stromal checkpoint to dampen down the activation of specific immune cell subsets in inflammatory disease; and earlier programs in discovery stage. Separately, in a collaboration with Janssen Biotech, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, Mestag is also identifying novel targets for future therapies. Full article – https://lnkd.in/dTBkp-7C

AstraZeneca on Tuesday announced that its AKT inhibitor Truqap, when used in combination with paclitaxel, failed to meet its primary efficacy endpoint in the Phase III CAPItello-290 study in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. The pharma did not provide specific data in its announcement, only revealing that the Truqap combo failed to significantly improve overall survival in the total study population or in the subgroup of patients with specific mutations in the PIK3CA, AKT1 or PTEN genes. The study compared the Truqap regimen against placebo plus paclitaxel. The pharma has been trying to expand Truqap’s patient pool by testing it in other types of breast cancer and in other settings of care. CAPItello-290 is part of this push, alongside the Phase III CAPItello-292 study, which is testing the AKT inhibitor with Faslodex and palbociclib as a first-line triplet regimen in patients with locally advanced, inoperable or metastatic HR-positive or HER2-negative breast cancer. AstraZeneca is also assessing Truqap in prostate cancer, for which it is running the CAPItello-280 and CAPItello-281 trials. #biotech #biopharma #BreastCancer #Truqap

New Hope for Lung Cancer Patients: Tagrisso Approved for Stage III EGFR-Mutated NSCLC In a significant advancement for lung cancer treatment, the FDA has approved AstraZeneca's Tagrisso (osimertinib) for adult patients battling unresectable, Stage III EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This decision follows a Priority Review based on promising data from the LAURA Phase III trial, showcasing the drug’s efficacy in patients whose disease has not progressed after undergoing platinum-based chemoradiation therapy. Key Highlights from the LAURA Trial • Remarkable Efficacy: Tagrisso showed an 84% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death compared to placebo, translating to a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 39.1 months versus just 5.6 months for those on placebo. • Wide Impact: This approval is pivotal as 15% of NSCLC patients in the U.S. have EGFR mutations, and nearly 20% of these have unresectable tumors, representing a significant unmet need in targeted therapy. The Journey Ahead Tagrisso, a third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has already been a game-changer in various stages of EGFRm NSCLC, and its approval for Stage III adds to its growing profile. The drug’s safety and tolerability align with its established reputation, with no new safety concerns reported during the trial. AstraZeneca’s commitment to advancing lung cancer treatment doesn’t stop here. Tagrisso is under evaluation for further indications globally, and the company is actively researching ways to combat resistance mechanisms to enhance patient outcomes. 📊 GlobalData Healthcare analysis from Patent Analytics tool shows the key players with publications related to “Treating Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)”. ⚡ Connect with us today to explore the endless possibilities and propel your business forward! #lifesciences #pharmaceuticals #biotechnology #oncology #cancer