Aduro Biotech just signed a $750MM ($200MM of which was up-front) deal with Novartis for the development of modulators of the STING pathway to enhance the immunogenicity of cancer cells. Continue reading
Category Archives: Checkpoint Inhibitors
BXQ-350 – Pre-clinical Cancer Drug with Novel Mechanism of Action
Bexion Pharmaceuticals received Orphan Drug Designation for its novel drug, BXQ-350 for the treatment of patients with glioblastoma multiforme. The drug has shown activity in over 60 different cancer cell lines, and is toxic to cancer cells, only.The nanovesicals bypass the blood brain barrier. Continue reading
Innate Pharma – Two NK Cell Checkpoint Inhibitors in Development
Natural Killer cells and macrophages are essential in the innate immune response to bacterial pathogens. They also provide the essential link to the adaptive immune response by presenting antigens to dendritic cells and by directly stimulating CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells.
Bavituximab – Novel Checkpoint Inhibitor in Phase 3
Bavituximab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to phosphatidyl serine (PS), a molecule this is expressed in the inner side of the cell membrane. The drug is being developed by Peregrine Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and is in a late stage trial called SUNRISE – A Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Multicenter Trial of Bavituximab Plus Docetaxel Versus Docetaxel Alone in Patients With Previously Treated Stage IIIb/IV Non-Squamous Non Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Continue reading
Immunotherapy of Cancer: Roche & NewLink $1 Billion Deal for IDO Inhibition
Roche (Genentech) entered into a $1 billion deal with NewLink Genetics, a company with an IDO (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) inhibitor. Continue reading
IND for Clinical Studies of dCellVax Breast Cancer Immune Therapy Filed – Intelligent and Rational Gene Silencing Approach for Cancer
Regen Biopharma recently filed an IND (Investigational New Drug Application) with the FDA to permit the initiation of Phase 1 clinical trials of its dCellVax treatment for advanced breast cancer. Continue reading
IDO inhibition in cancer immunology
IDO ( indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) is a molecule that oxidizes tryptophan, which is needed by cytotoxic T-cells. When cancer cells and T-reg cells secrete IDO in the vicinity of cytotoxic T cells, antitumor activity is abrogated. Continue reading
arGENX – Immune Checkpoint Control of TNFR Superfamliy
A Dutch biotechnology company called arGENX raised $54 MM in an IPO (initial public offering) yesterday to advance its antibody pipeline. Its lead product, ARGX-110 is in late Phase 1 studies for hematologic malignancies. It is an immune checkpoint control modulator that acts on the CD70/CD27 axis, which is part of the TNFR superfamily, not the CD28/B7 superfamliy of co-stimulatory molecules. Continue reading
Cancer Immunotherapy Projections – Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors lead the way
The worldwide market for cancer immunotherapies is anticipated to grow from $1.1B in 2012 to $9B in 2022, that equals a 23/8% annual growth. Leading the growth are the immune checkpoint inhibitors.
PD-1 inhibitor approved in Asia
Ono Pharmaceuticals announced that nivolumab has been approved in Asia. It obtained the rights to nivolumab from Medarex in 2005. It is approved for use in patients with unresectable melanoma.