Vaccinex Announces First Patient Dosed with Anti-CCR8 Antibody Licensed to Surface Oncology
Vaccinex, Inc. recently announced its licensee, Surface Oncology dosed the first patient in its Phase 1/2 clinical study investigating SRF114, an antibody discovered using Vaccinex’s ActivMAb antibody discovery platform and licensed to Surface Oncology in 2021.
“We are very pleased that Surface has progressed SRF114 into a Phase 1/2 clinical study. Advancing this promising drug candidate into the clinic provides positive validation of our proprietary ActivMAb antibody discovery platform,” said Ernest Smith, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Vaccinex. “ActivMAb is particularly focused on antibody targets like CCR8, a complex GPCR protein. We are gratified that we were able to provide Surface Oncology with a potential best-in-class anti-CCR8 antibody and look forward to continued progress for the SRF114 program.”
SRF114 is a potential best-in-class, fully human monoclonal antibody targeting, CCR8. SRF114 was designed to selectively deplete immuno-suppressive tumor T regulatory cells (Tregs) while sparing peripheral Tregs. The highly specific binding properties of the antibody are believed to position SRF114 as a potential best-in-class anti-CCR8 antibody as a monotherapy for the treatment of advanced solid tumors. Under the terms of the antibody discovery agreement, Vaccinex has the potential to receive progress-related clinical milestone payments and royalties on sales.
Vaccinex has developed a proprietary mammalian cell-based antibody discovery platform with unique multi-pass membrane target capabilities. The ActivMAb technology now has four main applications: complex membrane antigen presentation, antibody or antigen discovery, and protein optimization. Vaccinex has an antibody license agreement with Surface Oncology (Cambridge, MA) and the company is engaged in multiple other biopharmaceutical collaborations employing this enabling technology for drug discovery.
Vaccinex, Inc. is pioneering a differentiated approach to treating cancer and slowly progressive neurodegenerative diseases through the inhibition of semaphorin 4D (SEMA4D). The Company’s lead drug candidate, pepinemab, blocks SEMA4D, a potent biological effector that it believes prevents immune infiltration into tumors and triggers inflammation in chronic diseases of the brain. Pepinemab is being evaluated in combination with KEYTRUDA in a Phase 1b/2 study in recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer (R/M HNSCC) and as a monotherapy in a Phase 1/2a study in Alzheimer’s Disease, with ongoing exploration of potential Phase 3 development in Huntington’s disease. The company has also developed a proprietary drug discovery platform, ActivMAb, that it is leveraging thru strategic collaborations, particularly by applying its unique capability to select high value antibodies against important multi-pass membrane receptors.
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