On May 8, 2024 CytomX Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTMX), a leader in the field of masked, conditionally activated biologics, reported first quarter 2024 financial results and provided a business update (Press release, CytomX Therapeutics, MAY 8, 2024, View Source [SID1234642872]).

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"CytomX’s multi-modality PROBODY therapeutic pipeline encompasses some of the most exciting areas of current oncology R&D, including T-cell engagers, ADCs, and cytokines. CytomX’s leadership and continuous innovation in the field of masked, conditionally activated biologics ideally positions us to develop novel, potent therapies for cancer patients in key areas of unmet need," said Sean McCarthy, D.Phil., chief executive officer and chairman of CytomX.

McCarthy added, "CytomX entered 2024 executing to our plan and with substantial momentum, looking towards key data readouts from our multi-modality PROBODY therapeutic pipeline over the next 12 to 24 months. Our exciting announcement today of positive initial Phase 1a clinical data for CX-904 marks the beginning of this data-rich period and we look forward to making continued progress with our broad program of masked, PROBODY T-cell engagers and to also demonstrating clinical proof of concept for CX-2051 and CX-801, for which we anticipate initial Phase 1 data in 2025."

First Quarter Business Highlights and Recent Developments

Pipeline

CX-904, PROBODY T-cell-engager (TCE) targeted to EGFRxCD3, demonstrates a favorable safety profile and encouraging anti-cancer activity in Phase 1 dose escalation. Dose escalation continues.

CX-904 is a conditionally activated PROBODY TCE designed to target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on cancer cells and the CD3 receptor on T cells within the tumor microenvironment. CX-904 is being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 1 study.

Today, the Company announced positive initial Phase 1 dose escalation data in heavily pre-treated patients with advanced metastatic solid tumor types that are generally known to express EGFR. 19 patients were initially enrolled into non-step dosing cohorts with target doses ranging from 0.007 mg to 6 mg. 16 patients were subsequently enrolled into step-dosing cohorts with target doses ranging from 5 mg to 10 mg and with tocilizumab prophylaxis. Dose escalation continues and enrollment into a cohort with a target dose of 15 mg is ongoing.

As of the April 16, 2024 data cutoff, CX-904 demonstrated a favorable safety profile including no observed cases of CRS of any grade in step-dosing cohorts and only Grade 1 CRS observed in patients treated at the highest non-step dose. The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were arthralgia, arthritis, rash, pruritis, and vomiting, the majority of which were low grade.
Eight patients had measurable tumor reduction, including 2 of 6 (33%) efficacy-evaluable pancreatic cancer patients with confirmed partial responses per RECIST 1.1.
Preliminary pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data were consistent with the PROBODY TCE mechanism of action, including maintained masking in circulation, and CD8+ T-cell margination and tumor infiltration.
CX-904 Phase 1a dose escalation and optimization continue, with future enrollment focused on determining a recommended Phase 2 dose.
The Company expects to provide an additional Phase 1a dose escalation update by the end of 2024. These additional data will help inform next steps along with partner Amgen, towards initiation of Phase 1b expansion cohorts in specific EGFR positive tumor types.
CX-2051, an EpCAM-directed PROBODY antibody drug conjugate, first patient dosed in Phase 1 in April 2024, initial data expected in 2025.

EpCAM is a promising oncology target with significant potential that is highly expressed across many indications including colorectal, gastric, endometrial, and ovarian cancers. EpCAM has been clinically validated by locally administered, previously approved cancer therapies. To date, systemically administered anti-EpCAM therapeutics have been unsuccessful due to toxicities in certain epithelial tissues. CX-2051 utilizes a cytotoxic payload that is a derivative of camptothecin, a topoisomerase-1 inhibitor, a class of drug that has shown potent clinical anti-cancer activity in the ADC context for multiple targets and cancer types. CX-2051 has demonstrated a wide predicted therapeutic index in multiple preclinical models, constituting an opportunity for broad clinical use in large patient populations.

In April 2024, the first patient was dosed as part of the Phase 1 dose escalation of CX-2051 in patients with solid tumors generally known to express EpCAM, including CRC. The first dose cohort in the CX-2051 Phase 1 study has been cleared and dose escalation continues.
The Phase 1 dose escalation study is following a Bayesian Optimal Interval (BOIN) design and is intended to demonstrate initial clinical proof of concept to inform a potential decision to move into dose expansion cohorts in 2025.
Initial data for CX-2051 is expected in the first half of 2025.
CX-801, a dually-masked PROBODY interferon-alpha 2b, advancing to Phase 1 in Q2 2024. Executed Clinical Collaboration Agreement with Merck (known as MSD outside of the US and Canada) to evaluate CX-801 in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab).

Interferon-alpha 2b is an immunotherapeutic cytokine that has demonstrated clinical activity and gained regulatory approval previously in multiple cancer types, including locally advanced or metastatic melanoma, renal cancer and bladder cancer. IFNα2b provides a potentially superior approach to activating anti-tumor immune responses compared to other cytokines but its clinical benefit has been limited to date by severe dose-limiting toxicities. CX-801 is an optimized, dually masked, conditionally activated IFNα2b, designed to have an expanded therapeutic index that has the potential to become a cornerstone of combination therapy for a wide range of tumor types.

Announced a clinical collaboration agreement with Merck to supply KEYTRUDA for a Phase 1 study of CX-801 in combination with KEYTRUDA.
CX-801 is anticipated to initiate Phase 1 dose escalation in patients with solid tumors including melanoma, renal, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in Q2 2024. The Phase 1 dose escalation will utilize a BOIN design to evaluate safety and signs of clinical activity for CX-801 monotherapy and for CX-801 in combination with KEYTRUDA.
Initial Phase 1 data for CX-801 is expected in 2025.
KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.

CytomX continues to make progress in its R&D partnerships.

CytomX has multiple active research and development partnerships and more than 10 ongoing research programs with major biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies (Amgen, Astellas, Bristol Myers Squibb, Moderna and Regeneron). The majority of these programs are focused on masked, conditionally activated PROBODY T-cell engagers.

In Q1 2024, CytomX achieved $10.0 million in milestones under its multi-target T-cell Engager collaboration with Astellas related to two separate PROBODY TCE programs:

A $5.0 million milestone for the initiation of GLP toxicology studies for the first clinical candidate program in the collaboration.
A $5.0 million milestone for the nomination of the second clinical candidate in the collaboration.
2024 Priorities and Key Milestones:

CX-904 (EGFRxCD3):
CX-904 Phase 1a dose escalation and optimization continue, with future enrollment focused on determining a recommended Phase 2 dose or doses.
An additional Phase 1a dose escalation update is expected by the end of 2024.
A potential decision, to be taken with Amgen, to initiate Phase 1b expansion cohorts in specific EGFR positive tumor types is expected by the end of 2024.
CX-2051 (EpCAM):
Continued Phase 1 dose escalation in solid tumors with known EpCAM expression.
Initial Phase 1a data is expected in the first half 2025.
CX-801 (IFNα2b):
Initiation of Phase 1 dose escalation in solid tumors including melanoma, renal, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is expected by Q2 2024.
Initial Phase 1a data is expected in 2025.
Collaborations:
Continuation of T-cell engager focused drug discovery and development activities with Bristol Myers Squibb, Amgen, Astellas, and Regeneron.
Progress with Moderna on conditionally activated mRNA-based programs.
Potential additional pre-clinical and clinical milestones in 2024 and beyond.
Q1 2024 Financial Results

Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $150.3 million as of March 31, 2024, compared to $174.5 million as of December 31, 2023. The cash balance as of March 31, 2024, does not include the $10.0 million of Astellas milestone achievements earned in the first quarter of 2024.

Total revenue was $41.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $23.5 million for the corresponding period in 2023. The increase in revenue was driven primarily by a higher percentage of work completion of existing targets under the BMS, Moderna and Regeneron agreements as well as the $10.0 million of milestones earned under the collaboration with Astellas.

Research and development expenses increased by $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 to $22.1 million, compared to $21.2 million for the corresponding period of 2023. This was primarily due to increased laboratory contract services and manufacturing activities related to CX-904, CX-2051 and other wholly owned and partnered programs, as well as consulting, personnel and license related expenses, offset by decreased manufacturing activities for CX-801 program and winding down of clinical study activities related to the CX-2009 and CX-2029 programs.

General and administrative expenses decreased by $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 to $7.8 million compared to $8.0 million for the corresponding period of 2023, primarily due to lower building rent as a result of partial sublease of the Company’s headquarters.

On May 8, 2024 CRISPR Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CRSP), a biopharmaceutical company focused on creating transformative gene-based medicines for serious diseases, reported new preclinical data presented at the 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Cell and Gene Therapy (ASGCT) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) highlighting the Company’s approach to developing lipid nanoparticle (LNP) based delivery for in vivo ocular gene editing (Press release, CRISPR Therapeutics, MAY 8, 2024, View Source [SID1234642871]). In addition, CRISPR Therapeutics announced the expansion of its in vivo pipeline with two new programs. CTX340 and CTX450 utilize LNP-based delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing cargo to the liver, targeting angiotensinogen (AGT) for refractory hypertension and 5’-aminolevulinate synthase 1 (ALAS1) for acute hepatic porphyria (AHP), respectively.

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"Over the past two years, we have made significant progress on the development of our lipid nanoparticle platform for the delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 to the liver and are now in clinical trials with CTX310 and CTX320," said Samarth Kulkarni, Chief Executive and Chairman of the Board of CRISPR Therapeutics. "The expansion of our in vivo pipeline speaks to the scalability of the platform and the exceptional translation capabilities of our team. We continue to add programs to treat both common and rare diseases, as we look to broaden the number of areas where CRISPR could have transformational impact."

In Vivo Pipeline Expansion

CRISPR Therapeutics has established a proprietary LNP platform for the delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 to the liver. The first two in vivo programs utilizing this proprietary platform, CTX310 and CTX320, are directed towards validated therapeutic targets associated with cardiovascular disease, and are in on-going clinical trials. The addition of two more programs, CTX340 and CTX450, utilizing this LNP delivery technology demonstrates the modularity and scalability of the platform.

Refractory hypertension is a serious unmet medical need affecting approximately 1.5 million patients in the U.S. alone. CTX340 is designed to inhibit production of hepatic angiotensinogen (AGT), a validated target to modulate the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and normalize blood pressure durably with a one-time treatment. In preclinical studies, CTX340 showed ~60% liver editing and ~90% AGT protein reduction, resulting in sustained ~30 mmHg blood pressure (BP) reduction out to 3 months in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model.
Acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) is a group of rare genetic diseases of heme biosynthesis. Symptomatic patients have acute attacks, characterized by debilitating neurovascular symptoms, as well as multiple chronic symptoms, such as pain. There are approximately 5,000 patients diagnosed with AHP in the U.S., although the disease remains underdiagnosed. CTX450 is specifically designed to inhibit production of ALAS1 in the liver, preventing accumulation of neurotoxic aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and porphobilinogen (PBG). In preclinical studies, CTX450 showed ~70% liver editing and ~97% ALAS1 protein reduction, resulting in reduction of ALA and PBG disease biomarkers to normal levels in an AHP mouse model.
CRISPR Therapeutics has initiated IND/CTA-enabling studies for CTX340 and CTX450 and expects to initiate both clinical trials in the second half of 2025.
ASGCT Presentation

In addition to expanding the liver-targeted in vivo pipeline, CRISPR Therapeutics reported initial data demonstrating its proprietary capabilities to deliver to and edit genes in the eye, opening a potential new focus area. The data will be presented today, May 8, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. ET at ASGCT (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) in an oral presentation entitled "Development of an In Vivo Non-Viral Ocular Editing Platform and Application to Potential Treatments for Glaucoma."
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Mutations in the myocilin (MYOC) gene represent the most common genetic cause of glaucoma that affects approximately 150,000 people in the U.S. alone. In these patients, defective myocilin protein aggregates in the trabecular meshwork (TM) cells, leading to impaired outflow of aqueous humor from the anterior segment of the eye, resulting in elevated intraocular pressure. Patients with MYOC-associated glaucoma typically have an earlier onset and more rapidly progressive disease course than is seen with other causes of glaucoma. Pharmaceutical interventions carry a significant treatment burden resulting in reduced adherence to therapy and surgical interventions frequently do not lead to a durable resolution of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). The Company has developed an LNP platform capable of delivering gene editing cargo to the TM cells in the eye. In today’s presentation, the Company presented data demonstrating efficient and specific delivery to TM cells in mouse, non-human primate, and ex vivo human eyes. The Company showed >90% editing of the MYOC gene in vitro with prioritized guide RNA, and ~90% reduction of surrogate protein expression in a mouse in vivo model after a single injection.

About In Vivo Programs

CRISPR Therapeutics has established a proprietary LNP platform for the delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 to the liver. The Company’s in vivo portfolio includes its lead investigational in vivo programs, CTX310 (directed towards angiopoietin-related protein 3 (ANGPTL3)) and CTX320 (directed towards lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), two validated therapeutic targets for cardiovascular disease, are in on-going clinical trials. In addition, the Company’s research and pre-clinical development candidates include CTX340 and CTX450, targeting angiotensinogen (AGT) for refractory hypertension and 5’-aminolevulinate synthase 1 (ALAS1) for acute hepatic porphyria (AHP), respectively.

On May 8, 2024 CRISPR Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CRSP), a biopharmaceutical company focused on creating transformative gene-based medicines for serious diseases, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 (Press release, CRISPR Therapeutics, MAY 8, 2024, View Source [SID1234642870]).

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"This quarter, in addition the robust launch of CASGEVY, we are pleased to have nominated additional in vivo programs targeting both rare and common diseases to our portfolio based on promising preclinical data," said Samarth Kulkarni, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of CRISPR Therapeutics. "Additionally, we continue to advance our portfolio of clinical trials across oncology, autoimmune, diabetes and cardiovascular indications in a capital efficient manner. With multiple data read-outs in the next 12-18 months, we are poised to broaden the number of patients that could potentially benefit from transformative gene-editing based therapies."

Recent Highlights and Outlook

Hemoglobinopathies and CASGEVY (exagamglogene autotemcel [exa-cel])

CASGEVY is approved in the U.S., Great Britain, the European Union (EU), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and the Kingdom of Bahrain (Bahrain) for the treatment of both sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT). Regulatory submissions for CASGEVY have been completed in both SCD and TDT in Switzerland and Canada; the submission in Canada was granted priority review. CASGEVY is the first therapy to emerge from a strategic partnership between CRISPR Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals established in 2015. As part of an amendment to the collaboration agreement in 2021, Vertex now leads global development, manufacturing, regulatory and commercialization of CASGEVY with support from CRISPR Therapeutics.

As of mid-April, more than 25 authorized treatment centers (ATCs) have been activated globally, including centers in all regions where CASGEVY is approved, and multiple patients have already had cells collected.

Vertex has signed multiple agreements with both commercial and government health insurance providers in the U.S. to provide access to CASGEVY. Vertex has also secured reimbursed access for eligible people with SCD or TDT in KSA and Bahrain, as well as for people with TDT in France through an early access program.

CRISPR Therapeutics has two next-generation approaches with the potential to significantly expand the addressable population with SCD and TDT. CRISPR Therapeutics continues to advance its internally developed targeted conditioning program, an anti-CD117 (c-Kit) antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), through preclinical studies. Additionally, the Company has ongoing research efforts to enable in vivo editing of hematopoietic stem cells. This work could obviate the need for conditioning altogether, expand geographic reach, and enable the treatment of multiple additional other diseases beyond SCD and TDT.

Immuno-Oncology and Autoimmune Diseases

CRISPR Therapeutics’ next-generation allogeneic CAR T candidates reflect the Company’s mission of innovating continuously to bring potentially transformative medicines to patients as quickly as possible. Clinical trials are ongoing for the Company’s next-generation CAR T product candidates, CTX112 and CTX131, targeting CD19 and CD70, respectively, across multiple indications. CTX112 and CTX131 both contain novel potency edits which can lead to significantly higher CAR T cell expansion and cytotoxicity, potentially representing best-in-class allogeneic CAR T products for these targets.

CTX112 is being developed for both oncology and autoimmune indications. In oncology settings, CTX112 is in a Phase 1/2 trial for CD19 positive relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies, and the Company expects to report preliminary clinical data this year.

The Company remains on track to initiate a clinical trial for CTX112 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the first half of this year, with the potential to expand into additional autoimmune indications in the future. Early clinical studies have shown that CD19-directed autologous CAR T therapy can produce long-lasting remissions in multiple autoimmune indications by deeply depleting B cells. The Company’s first generation allogeneic CD19-directed CAR T program has demonstrated effective depletion of B cells in oncology settings, which supports the potential for CTX112 in autoimmune diseases.

CTX131, CRISPR Therapeutics’ next generation CAR T targeting CD70, is currently in an ongoing clinical trial in solid tumors. The Company remains on track to initiate a clinical trial for CTX131 in hematologic malignancies in the first half of this year.

In Vivo

CRISPR Therapeutics has established a proprietary lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform for the delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 to the liver. The first two in vivo programs utilizing this proprietary platform, CTX310 and CTX320, are directed towards validated therapeutic targets associated with cardiovascular disease, and are in ongoing clinical trials. Earlier today, the Company announced the addition of two additional preclinical programs, CTX340 and CTX450, utilizing this LNP delivery system, demonstrating the modularity and scalability of the platform.

Refractory hypertension is a serious unmet medical need affecting approximately 1.5 million patients in the U.S. alone. CTX340 is designed to inhibit production of hepatic angiotensinogen (AGT), a validated target to modulate the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and normalize blood pressure durably with a one-time treatment. In preclinical studies, CTX340 showed ~60% liver editing and ~90% AGT protein reduction, resulting in sustained ~30 mmHg blood pressure (BP) reduction out to 3 months in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model.

Acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) is a group of rare genetic diseases of heme biosynthesis. Symptomatic patients have acute attacks, characterized by debilitating neurovascular symptoms, as well as multiple chronic symptoms, such as pain. There are approximately 5,000 patients diagnosed with AHP in the U.S., although the disease remains underdiagnosed. CTX450 is specifically designed to inhibit production of ALAS1 in the liver, preventing accumulation of neurotoxic aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and porphobilinogen (PBG). In preclinical studies, CTX450 showed ~70% liver editing and ~97% ALAS1 protein reduction, resulting in reduction of ALA and PBG disease biomarkers to normal levels in an AHP mouse model.

CRISPR Therapeutics has initiated IND/CTA-enabling studies for CTX340 and CTX450 and expects to initiate both clinical trials in the second half of 2025.

In addition to the pipeline updates expanding the liver-targeted in vivo pipeline, CRISPR Therapeutics reported initial data at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Annual Meeting demonstrating its proprietary capabilities to deliver to and edit genes in the eye, opening a potential new focus area.

Regenerative Medicine

CRISPR Therapeutics continues to advance a Phase 1 clinical trial for CTX211 for the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). CRISPR Therapeutics remains committed to its goal of developing a beta-cell replacement product that does not require chronic immunosuppression.

Vertex has non-exclusive rights to certain CRISPR Therapeutics’ CRISPR/Cas9 technology to accelerate development of potentially curative cell therapies for T1D. CRISPR Therapeutics remains eligible for development milestones and would receive royalties on any future products resulting from this agreement.

Other Corporate Matters

In March, CRISPR Therapeutics announced its proposal to elect Christian Rommel, Ph.D., to its Board of Directors at the Company’s annual general meeting to be held this year. Dr Rommel brings in-depth experience in successfully accelerating innovation and advancing drug candidates across a breadth of modalities and disease areas.

In February, CRISPR Therapeutics announced that it had entered into an investment agreement for the sale of approximately $280 million of its common shares to a select group of institutional investors in a registered direct offering.

First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $2,108.1 million as of March 31, 2024, compared to $1,695.7 million as of December 31, 2023. The increase in cash was primarily driven by proceeds from the February 2024 registered direct offering, a $200.0 million milestone payment received from Vertex in connection with the approval of CASGEVY, proceeds from employee option exercises as well as interest income, offset by operating expenses.

R&D Expenses: R&D expenses were $76.2 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $99.9 million for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in R&D expense was primarily driven by reduced variable external research and manufacturing costs.

G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $18.0 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $22.4 million for the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in G&A expense was primarily driven by a decrease in employee related and stock-based compensation expense.

Collaboration Expense: Collaboration expense, net, was $47.0 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $42.2 million for the first quarter of 2023. The increase in collaboration expense, net, was primarily attributable to commercial and manufacturing costs.

Net Loss: Net loss was $116.6 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to a net loss of $53.1 million for the first quarter of 2023.
About CASGEVY (exagamglogene autotemcel [exa-cel])

CASGEVY is a non-viral, ex vivo CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited cell therapy for eligible patients with SCD or TDT, in which a patient’s own hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells are edited at the erythroid specific enhancer region of the BCL11A gene. This edit results in the production of high levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF; hemoglobin F) in red blood cells. HbF is the form of the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin that is naturally present during fetal development, which then switches to the adult form of hemoglobin after birth. CASGEVY has been shown to reduce or eliminate VOCs for patients with SCD and transfusion requirements for patients with TDT.

CASGEVY is approved for certain indications in multiple jurisdictions for eligible patients.

On May 8, 2024 Coherus BioSciences, Inc. (Coherus; Nasdaq: CHRS) reported that the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) and its Immunotherapy Platform Study in Platinum-Resistant High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (IPROC) Drug Selection Committee (DSC) have selected LOQTORZI (toripalimab-tpzi), anti-PD-1 antibody, to explore in combination with ENB-003, a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of endothelin B receptor (ETBR), for the treatment of drug-resistant cancers in the iPROC platform study (Press release, Coherus Biosciences, MAY 8, 2024, View Source [SID1234642869]). Endothelin B receptor is implicated in tumorigenesis and tumor immune suppression for several solid tumors, including melanoma, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers.

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"The iPROC DSC is pleased to have access to this next-generation PD-1 inhibitor and advance this combination supported by preclinical and clinical data in this study in ovarian cancer," said John Stagg, Ph.D., Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Montreal and Principal Investigator, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) and its affiliated Cancer Institute of Montreal.

Dr. Stagg continued, "The iPROC study DSC brings together a group of scientific experts within the CRI community to select promising combinations and rapidly advance them to clinical trials. Importantly, the DSC is not confined by a pipeline but looks to work with companies with drugs that have a strong data package. For this multiparty platform study to succeed, it requires science-driven, highly collaborative, and engaged companies. Coherus and ENB Therapeutics are two such partners, and we are excited to advance this clinical study."

"CRI is an established and preeminent organization leading immunotherapy discovery and advancement through its global network of scientific experts, and we are excited that the CRI network has selected LOQTORZI for this study to gain more insight into the potential clinical benefit that LOQTORZI might have when combined with novel mechanisms such as ENB Therapeutics’ ETBR blocker, particularly in this underserved patient population," said Rosh Dias, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Coherus.

"There is a large body of clinical evidence for LOQTORZI, including positive phase 3 studies published in top-tier scientific journals, showing efficacy and safety in multiple tumor types," said Jay Campbell, Managing Director, Clinical Accelerator and Venture Fund at CRI. "This level of scientific evidence is what we are looking for when selecting immunotherapies to bring into our network, with the goal of advancing clinically meaningful solutions to patients. We are grateful to have the opportunity to collaborate with Coherus and ENB Therapeutics on this study and excited to be working with them on this novel combination that we hope will lead to improved outcomes in these patient populations."

Dr. Sumayah Jamal, CEO of ENB Therapeutics, added, "We are honored to be collaborating with CRI and Coherus to further accelerate the development of innovative immunotherapy solutions and expand the pool of patients benefitting from this approach to harness the immune system to fight cancer."

Under the terms of a clinical supply agreement with the Cancer Research Institute (CRI), Coherus will supply toripalimab-tpzi for combination treatment with ENB-003 to be investigated in the iPROC platform study.

About the IPROC Platform Trial
The IPROC clinical trial uses an adaptive platform study design that utilizes a single master protocol to evaluate multiple immunotherapy combinations. This allows multiple treatments to be evaluated in different groups of patients, or cohorts, from the same patient population. Such a study design offers flexibility in that different treatments can be evaluated in different cohorts, treatment regimens can be modified between cohorts, and treatment selection criteria can be customized for a specific cohort. The trial, titled Immunotherapy Platform Study in Platinum-Resistant High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (IPROC) (NCT04918186), has two ongoing cohorts.

About LOQTORZI (toripalimab-tpzi)
LOQTORZI is an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody that blocks PD-L1 binding to the PD-1 receptor at a unique site with high affinity and activates anti-tumor immunity. LOQTORZI is indicated in the United States in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine for first-line treatment of adults with metastatic or recurrent locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and as a single agent for the treatment of adults with recurrent unresectable or metastatic NPC with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. For more information about LOQTORZI, including the U.S. Prescribing Information and important safety information, please visit www.loqtorzi.com.

About ENB-003
ENB-003, a small-molecule drug candidate targeting the ETBR, is expressed in solid tumors and plays a role in tumorigenesis and immune evasion. ETBR, a G-protein-coupled receptor, is overexpressed in a variety of tumor cell types and plays a key role in tumor cell proliferation, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and angiogenesis. It also plays a role in tumor immunosuppression and blocks T-cell trafficking.

As reported in November 2023, preliminary results from the ENBOLDEN-101 demonstrated that ENB-003 in combination with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) demonstrated encouraging objective responses, disease control, and progression-free survival in patients with metastatic platinum refractory/resistant ovarian cancer (PROC).

On May 8, 2024 Cellectar Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLRB), a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of drugs for the treatment of cancer, reported that Jarrod Longcor, chief operating officer of Cellectar, will present an overview of the company in a fireside chat at the upcoming Guggenheim Healthcare Talks Radiopharmaceuticals Day being held on May 13, 2024 in New York City (Press release, Cellectar Biosciences, MAY 8, 2024, View Source [SID1234642868]). Details of the fireside chat are as follows:

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Date: Monday, May 13, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm Eastern Time
Webcast: Click HERE

A replay of the presentation will be available on the Events section of the company’s investor relations website.