On March 6, 2024 Merus N.V. (Nasdaq: MRUS) (Merus, the Company, we, or our), a clinical-stage oncology company developing innovative, full-length multispecific antibodies (Biclonics and Triclonics), reported the publication of an abstract highlighting the preclinical evaluation of the bispecific antibody zenocutuzumab (Zeno) for poster presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2024 taking place in San Diego, CA April 5-10, 2024 (Press release, Merus, MAR 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234640874]).
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The abstract describes Zeno’s activity in preclinical models representing different tumor types expressing high neuregulin 1 (NRG1) levels. High NRG1 expression is associated with poorer prognosis in certain cancers and resistance to standard therapies. The anti-tumor efficacy of Zeno in vivo against a panel of 28 patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models representing different tumor types was examined. The results show that Zeno significantly inhibited tumor growth in seven high-NRG1-expressing PDX models representing multiple different tumor types.
Presentation Details:
Title: Zenocutuzumab, a HER2xHER3 bispecific antibody, is effective in cancer models with high NRG1 expression.
Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Session: Antibody-Drug Conjugates and Bispecific Antibodies
Date: Monday, April 8, 2024
Time: 9:00 am-12:30 p.m. PT
Location: Poster Section 23
Poster #: 14
Abstract #: 1903
The full abstract is available on the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) website. The poster will be available on the Merus website at the start of the session.
Zeno is being investigated in the phase 1/2 eNRGy trial and Early Access Program which are assessing the safety and anti-tumor activity of Zeno monotherapy in NRG1+ cancer. Based on recent productive and collaborative discussions with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, we believe we will have sufficient clinical data in the first half of 2024 to support potential Biologics License Application submissions in NRG1+ non-small cell lung cancer and NRG1+ pancreatic cancer.
About Zeno
Zeno is an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC)-enhanced Biclonics that utilizes the Merus Dock & Block mechanism to inhibit the neuregulin/HER3 tumor-signaling pathway in solid tumors with NRG1 gene fusions (NRG1+ cancer). Through its unique mechanism of binding to HER2 and potently blocking the interaction of HER3 with its ligand NRG1 or NRG1-fusion proteins, Zeno has the potential to be particularly effective against NRG1+ cancer. In preclinical studies, Zeno also potently inhibits HER2/HER3 heterodimer formation and tumor growth in models harboring NRG1 fusions.