On June 10, 2019 GT Biopharma, Inc. (OTCQB: GTBP) (OTCQB: GTBP.PA) an immuno-oncology company focused on innovative treatments based on the Company’s proprietary NK cell engager (TriKE) platform and Multi-Target Directed Bispecific Drug Conjugate (MTBDC) platform, reported an update of the company’s drug development programs (Press release, GT Biopharma , JUN 10, 2019, View Source [SID1234539512]).
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GT Biopharma continues to move forward with its development of the HIV TriKE. On April 24th GT Biopharma announced the elimination of HIV infected cells using its Tri:Specific Killer Engagers (TriKEs) in Preclinical Testing at the University of Minnesota. Which could represent a possible cure to HIV which now has over 35 million infected people worldwide.
About the HIV TriKE
In preclinical testing led by Dr. Jeffrey Miller, M.D., Deputy Director Masonic Cancer Center and Dr. Timothy Schacker, M.D., Medical School and Director, Program in HIV Medicine, the research team designed a series of Bispecific and Trispecific Natural Killer Cell Engagers (BiKE and TriKE) constructs to direct Natural Killer cell mediated cytotoxicity against an HIV infected target. The data demonstrate that a BiKE construct can eliminate HIV infected targets expressing the HIV envelope on their surface. Based on the success of the BiKE data, GT Biopharma is planning to develop a TriKE version by incorporating IL-15 into the BiKE scFv construct to increase the level of NK cell killing of targeted HIV infected cells.
Additional TriKEs (Trispecific NK cell engagers) which target hematological malignancies (liquid tumors), and solid tumor cancers, are also progressing under the TriKE platform. The TriKE platform’s ability to expand into solid tumors (80% of the cancer market) allows for a much more economical and wider approach then CAR-T. Most recently KITE Pharma was bought by Gilead Sciences, Inc. for $12 Billion (NASDAQ: GILD) and Juno Therpeautics was accuried ($9 Billion) by Celegene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG). These highly expensive cell therapies are limited to only liquid tumors (20% of the cancer market). The TriKE off the shelf technology is a protein (drug) version of CAR-T using the TriKE’s ability to employ NK (Natural Killer) cells from the immune system as the catalyst to target, attack and kill specific cancers.
GTB-3550 (OXS-3550) is the Company’s first Tri-specific NK cell Engager (TriKE) product candidate being initially developed for the treatment AML. GTB-3550 (OXS-3550) is being readied to begin enrolling patients with advanced Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in a Phase I/II expansion clinical trial starting mid- July 2019.
About GTB-3550 Trispecific NK cell Engager (TriKE)
GTB-3550 is a single-chain, tri-specific scFv recombinant fusion protein conjugate composed of the variable regions of the heavy and light chains of anti-CD16 and anti-CD33 antibodies and a modified form of IL-15. The natural killer (NK) cell stimulating cytokine human IL-15 portion of the molecule provides a self-sustaining signal that activates NK cells and enhances their ability to kill. We intend to study GTB-3550 in CD33 positive leukemias such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and other CD33+ hematopoietic malignancies.
GTB-1550 (DT2219) top-line Phase I/II expansion clinical trial results have been promising; two patients exhibited a complete remission (CR) with one patient currently disease-free at 50 months post completion of the study. A Phase 2 study is being planned.
About GTB-1550 Multi-Target Directed Bispecific Drug Conjugate
GTB-1550 targets cancer cells expressing the CD19 receptor or CD22 receptor or both receptors thereby maximizing cancer cell recognition by binding to CD19+, CD22+ and CD19+/CD22+ cancer cells. When GTB-1550 binds to cancer cells, the cancer cells internalize GTB-1550, and are killed due to the action of drug’s cytotoxic diphtheria toxin payload.
Mr. Anthony Cataldo, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GT Biopharma, commented, "We are pleased with the progress of our clinical development programs." The HIV TriKE’s possibility to kill the HIV virus would solve a massive economic burden as well as stop infected patients from spreading the disease. Mr. Cataldo also noted that the Company has two key platform technologies to attack cancer: the TriKE platform, and the Multi-Targeted Directed Bispecific Cytotoxic Payload platform. Mr. Cataldo stated, "We believe that these Platform technologies present first-in-class therapeutic opportunities for the Company, and will be the main focus going forward."