BEIJING – Suzhou-based Innovent Biologics Inc. has inked a deal with Alector Inc. to obtain the rights of the U.S. biotech’s AL-008, a dual function anti-SIRP-alpha (anti-signal regulatory protein-alpha) antibody, to develop and commercialize it for oncology indications in China.
Alx Oncology Inc. pulled down a $105 million series C equity financing to support the expansion into phase II trials with ALX-148, described as a next-generation CD47 myeloid checkpoint inhibitor, paired with other cancer therapeutics. ALX-148 uses a “dead” Fc domain that does not bind to macrophages, thus reducing cytopenia and other toxicities associated with the class.
The natural immune system has two lines of defense that complement each other. In response to an infection, a rapid but fairly unspecific and short-lived response by the innate immune system is followed by the precisely targeted attack of the B and T cells of the adaptive immune system, followed by immune memory that can last a lifetime
HONG KONG – China has approved the fourth homegrown CD47 antibody to start clinical trials, intensifying the local CD47 race. Chinese biologics developer I-Mab Biopharma (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. said it received the go-ahead for the clinical study of TJC-4, its differentiated fully human CD47 monoclonal antibody for treating advanced malignant tumors.
