FS120 is a first-in-class dual agonist tetravalent bispecific antibody that has the potential to transform outcomes for patients with difficult to treat cancers
Preclinical data show potential for dual T cell agonism to drive anti-tumor responses without the need for Fcγ receptor activation
CAMBRIDGE, UK and CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA I December 3, 2020 I F-star Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing next generation immunotherapies to transform the lives of patients with cancer, today announces that the first patient has been dosed in its Phase 1 trial evaluating FS120, a first-in-class dual-agonist tetravalent bispecific antibody targeting CD137 (4-1BB, TNFRSF9) and OX40 (CD134, TNFRSF4).
The adaptive Phase 1 trial will explore FS120 as a monotherapy in dose escalation including evaluation of PK/PD in patients with advanced cancer. FS120 will also be evaluated in combination with a PD-1 monoclonal antibody with the potential for early demonstration of efficacy in specific tumor subtypes.
FS120 has the potential to show activity in “cold” tumors and improve outcomes of existing immunotherapies by simultaneously agonizing CD137 and OX40. These two receptors are part of the Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor family (“TNFRSF”) and are widely expressed on activated T cells and NK cells in tumors. Many TNFRSF-targeting antibodies require crosslinking via Fcγ receptors (“FcγRs”) to show activity, but this engagement can limit their clinical activity and lead to significant toxicity. FS120 has been designed to be FcγR-null and instead uses bispecific crosslinking to drive robust receptor clustering and activation, without engaging the FcγR. FS120 preclinical data demonstrated delays in tumor growth, activation and proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and synergies with PD-1 monoclonal antibodies and chemotherapies.
Louis Kayitalire, CMO of F-star, said: “The initiation of this trial is a significant milestone for F-star as we look to transform the care of those patients with cancer who have limited treatment options. FS120 offers an opportunity to improve upon current treatment paradigms, either as a monotherapy or in combination. We look forward to the results from our FS120 clinical trial as we strive to improve both quality of life and duration of response for patients with these difficult to treat cancers.”
About F-star Therapeutics, Inc.
F-star is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing tetravalent bispecific antibodies for a paradigm-shift in cancer therapy. By developing medicines that seek to block tumor immune evasion, the Company’s goal is to offer patients greater and more durable benefits than current immuno-oncology treatments. Through its proprietary tetravalent, bispecific natural antibody (mAb²™) format, F-star’s mission is to generate highly differentiated best-in-class drug candidates with monoclonal antibody-like manufacturability. For more information visit www.f-star.com.
SOURCE: F-star Therapeutics
Post Views: 85
FS120 is a first-in-class dual agonist tetravalent bispecific antibody that has the potential to transform outcomes for patients with difficult to treat cancers
Preclinical data show potential for dual T cell agonism to drive anti-tumor responses without the need for Fcγ receptor activation
CAMBRIDGE, UK and CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA I December 3, 2020 I F-star Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing next generation immunotherapies to transform the lives of patients with cancer, today announces that the first patient has been dosed in its Phase 1 trial evaluating FS120, a first-in-class dual-agonist tetravalent bispecific antibody targeting CD137 (4-1BB, TNFRSF9) and OX40 (CD134, TNFRSF4).
The adaptive Phase 1 trial will explore FS120 as a monotherapy in dose escalation including evaluation of PK/PD in patients with advanced cancer. FS120 will also be evaluated in combination with a PD-1 monoclonal antibody with the potential for early demonstration of efficacy in specific tumor subtypes.
FS120 has the potential to show activity in “cold” tumors and improve outcomes of existing immunotherapies by simultaneously agonizing CD137 and OX40. These two receptors are part of the Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor family (“TNFRSF”) and are widely expressed on activated T cells and NK cells in tumors. Many TNFRSF-targeting antibodies require crosslinking via Fcγ receptors (“FcγRs”) to show activity, but this engagement can limit their clinical activity and lead to significant toxicity. FS120 has been designed to be FcγR-null and instead uses bispecific crosslinking to drive robust receptor clustering and activation, without engaging the FcγR. FS120 preclinical data demonstrated delays in tumor growth, activation and proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and synergies with PD-1 monoclonal antibodies and chemotherapies.
Louis Kayitalire, CMO of F-star, said: “The initiation of this trial is a significant milestone for F-star as we look to transform the care of those patients with cancer who have limited treatment options. FS120 offers an opportunity to improve upon current treatment paradigms, either as a monotherapy or in combination. We look forward to the results from our FS120 clinical trial as we strive to improve both quality of life and duration of response for patients with these difficult to treat cancers.”
About F-star Therapeutics, Inc.
F-star is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing tetravalent bispecific antibodies for a paradigm-shift in cancer therapy. By developing medicines that seek to block tumor immune evasion, the Company’s goal is to offer patients greater and more durable benefits than current immuno-oncology treatments. Through its proprietary tetravalent, bispecific natural antibody (mAb²™) format, F-star’s mission is to generate highly differentiated best-in-class drug candidates with monoclonal antibody-like manufacturability. For more information visit www.f-star.com.
SOURCE: F-star Therapeutics
Post Views: 85
