Details clinical plans for phase 1/1b clinical studies of SRF617 and SRF388 in patients with advanced solid tumors

Shares preclinical data for new, CD112R targeted antibody candidate, SRF813, and its ability to promote NK/T cell activation

CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA I November 18, 2019 I Surface Oncology (Nasdaq: SURF), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing next-generation immunotherapies that target the tumor microenvironment, today announced that it has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to support the initiation of a phase 1/1b clinical study of SRF617 (targeting CD39). At an inaugural R&D day today, the Company will share progress across its portfolio including clinical development plans for SRF617 and SRF388 (IL-27), and preclinical data supporting its new development candidate, SRF813, which targets the recently identified checkpoint protein CD112R to promote natural killer (NK) and T cell activation.

“We welcome this opportunity to dive into the compelling data underpinning our lead programs’ differentiated approaches to overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, as we work to break through and bring the benefits of immunotherapy to more patients suffering with cancer,” said Jeff Goater, chief executive officer of Surface Oncology. “We look forward to furthering the incredible scientific work of our team with the initiation of our phase 1 clinical trials for both SRF617 and SRF388 in early 2020.”

SRF617 is a fully human anti-CD39 antibody designed to promote anti-tumor immunity through a dual mechanism of reducing immunosuppressive adenosine and driving the extracellular accumulation of immunostimulatory ATP within the tumor microenvironment. Due to this dual mechanism, Surface Oncology believes CD39 is the most promising therapeutic target on the adenosine axis, a notable immunosuppressive pathway. The Company’s planned phase 1/1b study will evaluate SRF617 in patients with advanced solid tumors both as a monotherapy and in combination with other cancer therapies.

Surface Oncology also anticipates the filing of an IND for SRF388 before the end of 2019, with the subsequent initiation of a phase 1/1b clinical study in early 2020. The Company has identified particular tumor types, including hepatocellular and renal cell carcinoma, where IL-27 appears to play an important role in tumor progression. Furthermore, Surface Oncology has identified a potential biomarker associated with IL-27 that may be useful in helping identify patients most likely to respond to SRF388, which has the potential to be the first IL-27 targeted antibody to enter clinical trials.

“The Surface team is energized by the compelling preclinical datasets across our programs, and is excited about advancing SRF617 and SRF388 into clinical development,” said Rob Ross, M.D., chief medical officer of Surface Oncology. “Both SRF617 and SRF813 have best-in-class potential related to targeting the adenosine axis and NK cells, respectively, and we believe SRF388 has the ability to inhibit the highly immunosuppressive cytokine IL-27, which gives it the potential to be a potent therapeutic. We look forward to providing clinical updates from the SRF388 and SRF617 programs in late 2020.”

Surface Oncology’s preclinical data demonstrates that SRF813 increases NK and T cell activity, has strong, differentiated preclinical efficacy and promotes immunological memory. Currently, there are no therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance to T cell checkpoint inhibitor blockade, and emerging data highlights the potential of NK cell-based therapies, such as SRF813, to overcome checkpoint inhibitor resistance.

Surface Oncology recently presented data from a number of its programs, including SRF388 and SRF617, at the Society for the Immunotherapy of Cancer’s (SITC) 34th Annual Meeting in National Harbor, MD. These can be viewed on the Pipeline page of the Surface Oncology corporate website.

The R&D Day presentations and a live broadcast will be viewable from 8:15am ET at investors.surfaceoncology.com.

About Surface Oncology:

Surface Oncology is an immuno-oncology company developing next-generation antibody therapies focused on the tumor microenvironment with lead programs targeting CD73, CD39, IL-27 and CD112R. Surface’s novel cancer immunotherapies are designed to achieve a clinically meaningful and sustained anti-tumor response and may be used alone or in combination with other therapies. The Company has a pipeline of six novel immunotherapies and a strategic collaboration with Novartis focused on NZV930 (CD73). For more information, please visit www.surfaceoncology.com.

SOURCE: Surface Oncology