On February 27, 2023 Elpiscience Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Elpiscience"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing life-changing immuno-oncology therapies for cancer patients worldwide, reported that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 1 clinical trial of ES014, a first-in-class anti-CD39xTGF-β bispecific antibody (bsAb) (Press release, Elpiscience, FEB 27, 2023, View Source [SID1234627781]). The principal investigator of the study is Professor Lu Shun, Director of Oncology Department of Shanghai Chest Hospital.
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!
ES014 simultaneously targets the CD39-adenosine and TGF-β pathways, aiming to convert the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) into an immune-friendly one. Adenosine and TGF-β are two key immunosuppressive pathways within the TME. TGF-β, frequently expressed on solid tumors, suppresses T cell activation and induces CD39 expression, the rate-limiting enzyme in the ATP-adenosine pathway. ES014 is designed to have the following functions: 1. It blocks suppressive adenosine generation through CD39 inhibition while maintaining high levels of immune-stimulatory extracellular ATP, the substrate of CD39; 2. ES014 simultaneously neutralizes TGF-β, leading to activation of T cells and blockade of Treg differentiation while avoiding or minimizing systemic immunotoxicity.
"We are excited to have initiated the trial of this novel drug candidate. I’m proud of our highly committed team for their exceptional execution of the project. ES014 has shown strong single-agent anti-tumor efficacy in PD-1 non-responsive animal model. We look forward to seeing positive impact in cancer patients, " said Dr. Steve Chin, Chief Medical Officer of Elpiscience.
"I’m glad to lead the clinical study of ES014 in China. We have observed significant immune-promoting and tumor killing effect by ES014 in our ex vivo model of pleural effusion and ascites samples from patients with cancer. I am excited to move ES014 now to clinical study to investigate its safety and preliminary clinical signal in human," shared Professor Lu.