On June 13, 2017 Oxis International Inc. (OTCQB: OXIS and Euronext Paris OXI.PA) reported that it has entered into a co-development partnership agreement with Altor BioScience Corp. (Altor) in which the companies will collaborate exclusively in the clinical development of a novel 161533 TriKE fusion protein for cancer therapies using Oxis’ trispecific killer engager (TriKE) technology (Press release, OXIS International, JUN 13, 2017, View Source [SID1234539560]).

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Altor, based in Miramar, Fla., is a leading developer of novel cytokine-based immunotherapeutics for cancer and infectious diseases. Altor is run by Hing C. Wong, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer and Chaired by Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, a noted cancer researcher who owns NantWorks, a network of healthcare companies.

The TriKE technology was developed by researchers at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center. As demonstrated in non-clinical models, this targeted immunotherapy directs immune cells to kill cancer cells while diminishing drug-related toxicity. Addition of Altor’s IL-15 superagonist technology to the 161533 TriKE molecule would further augment its ability to stimulate immune responses.

Under the partnership, Oxis and Altor will conduct a first-in-man Phase 1 FDA human clinical trial of the 161533 TriKE for the treatment of hematologic malignancies.

Anthony J. Cataldo, Chief Executive Officer of Oxis, believes that the partnership with Altor will greatly benefit Oxis and the University of Minnesota in their efforts to leverage the TriKE technology into approved cancer therapies. The TriKE platform technology has received considerable attention, including having recently won the "REACH" award from the NIH (National Institutes of Health) for technology most likely to achieve commercial success. A research study on 161533 TriKE molecule was also selected as "Editors’ Choice" by the journal Science Translational Medicine, which stated, "TriKEs were superior in restoring potent antigen-specific NK cell responses against AML targets and mediated robust and specific NK cell proliferation."

Mr. Cataldo further said, "Altor’s elegant design of a mutant IL -15 can further enhance the targeting and effective killing of myeloid malignancies by the 161533 TriKE."

Hing C. Wong, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Altor, said: "The 161533 TriKE is an innovative second-generation immunotherapeutic fusion protein being developed by Oxis that targets human CD16 and human CD33. We are excited to have Altor’s proprietary IL-15 technology as an integral part of this molecule that is poised to rapidly enter into the clinic."

The clinical project will be managed by Jeffrey S. Miller, M.D., Deputy Director of the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center and a member of the Oxis Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Miller said, "The goal of a TriKE is to make NK cells antigen specific by creating an immune synapse between NK cells and tumor targets. Preclinical data suggest that use of an IL-15 linker not only boosts immune activation but it also delivers a proliferative signal to NK cells to sustain and further drive the immune response, a property that should overcome tumor induced immune suppression."