On April 9, 2021 aTyr Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: LIFE), a biotherapeutics company engaged in the discovery and development of innovative medicines based on novel biological pathways, reported two poster presentations at the 2021 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, which is being held virtually April 10 – 15 and May 17 – 21, 2021 (Press release, aTyr Pharma, APR 9, 2021, View Source [SID1234577795]). The full text of the corresponding abstracts is available on the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) website. The posters will be available for browsing on the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) website starting Saturday April 10 at 8:30 a.m. ET through Monday June 21. The posters will also be available on the aTyr website.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The posters present findings from preclinical studies, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Arthur M. Mercurio and his lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, demonstrating effects of ATYR2810, aTyr’s anti-human Neuropilin-2 (NRP2) / VEGF blocking monoclonal antibody, in solid tumors. In animal models of non-small cell lung cancer, ATYR2810 administered therapeutically as a single agent significantly inhibited tumor growth. When administered in combination with chemotherapy, including either 5-FU or cisplatin, ATYR2810 inhibited tumor growth to a greater extent compared to either chemotherapeutic agent alone. In models of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), ATYR2810 administered in combination with widely used anti-cancer therapeutics, including the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin or the targeted VEGF therapy bevacizumab, increased the anti-tumor effects of each agent. ATYR2810 also down-regulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition genes, which may be a mechanism that mediates its anti-tumor effects.

"The data presented in these posters affirm the therapeutic potential of ATYR2810 for aggressive cancer and provide a compelling rationale for evaluating the efficacy of ATYR2810 in patients," said Dr. Arthur M. Mercurio, Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and co-author of the posters. "Notably, the ability of this antibody to promote the differentiation of TNBC cells and render them more susceptible to chemotherapy has the potential to be a significant advancement because therapy resistance, which is associated with tumor recurrence and metastasis, is a major challenge for patients with TNBC and other aggressive cancers."

"These findings build upon our preclinical work related to ATYR2810 and strengthen our understanding of blocking VEGF-mediated NRP2 signaling as a potential approach to inhibiting tumor growth," said Sanjay S. Shukla, M.D., M.S., President and Chief Executive Officer of aTyr. "Whether as a monotherapy or in combination with other widely used anti-cancer treatments, including chemotherapy or a targeted therapy such as bevacizumab, these findings suggest that ATYR2810 has potential as a therapeutic agent in certain tumors where NRP2 is implicated. We look forward to continuing IND-enabling activities for ATYR2810 to support advancement to clinical trials in cancer in the future."

Details of posters and corresponding abstracts are as follows:

Title: The Neuropilin-2 targeting antibody ATYR2810 inhibits non-small cell lung cancer tumor growth in monotherapy and combination therapy
Authors: Alison G. Barber, Zhiwen Xu, Justin Rahman, Hira Lal Goel, Arthur M. Mercurio, Christoph Burkart, Leslie A. Nangle. aTyr Pharma, San Diego, CA, UMass Medical School, Boston, MA.
Abstract Number: 5247
Session Category: Tumor Biology
Session Title: Human-in-Mouse Models of Human Cancer
Poster Number: LB234
Permanent Abstract Number: LB234
Date and Time: April 10 at 8:30 a.m. ET

Title: A domain-specific antibody to NRP2 down-regulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition genes and enhanced efficacy of standard-of-care therapeutics for aggressive breast cancer
Authors: Zhiwen Xu, Christoph Burkart, Hira Lal Goel, Justin Rahman, Clara Polizzi, Matt Seikkula, Luke Burman, Arthur M. Mercurio, Leslie A. Nangle. aTyr Pharma, San Diego, CA, UMass Medical School, Boston, MA.
Abstract Number: 5316
Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Session Title: Biological Therapeutic Agents
Poster Number: LB095
Permanent Abstract Number: LB095
Date and Time: April 10 at 8:30 a.m. ET

About ATYR2810

aTyr is developing ATYR2810 as a potential therapeutic for certain aggressive tumors where Neuropilin-2 (NRP2) is implicated. ATYR2810 is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody that is designed to specifically and functionally block the interaction between NRP2 and one of its primary ligands, VEGF. ATYR2810 is the first Investigational New Drug (IND) candidate to arise from aTyr’s in-house research program designing monoclonal antibodies to selectively target the NRP2 receptor and its associated signaling pathways. NRP2 is a cell surface receptor that is highly expressed in certain tumors, in the lymphatic system and on key immune cells implicated in cancer progression. Increased NRP2 expression is associated with worse outcomes in many cancers. Preclinical data suggest that ATYR2810 could be effective against certain types of solid tumors. ATYR2810 is currently undergoing IND-enabling studies.