Cytomx Therapeutics Inc. and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., which inked a bispecifics-focused collaboration worth up to $2 billion in 2022, agreed to broaden their efforts in an expanded deal that provides Cytomx with additional funding up front as it advances its promising colorectal cancer candidate, varsetatug masetecan (Varseta-M), and fills the gap left by the recently terminated agreement with Astellas Pharma Inc.
Shares of Cytomx Therapeutics Inc. hit a new 52-week high as the company unveiled preliminary data from an ongoing phase I study of varsetatug masetecan (Varseta-M) in late-line metastatic colorectal cancer.
T cell-engaging bispecific antibodies (TCEs) are engineered molecules designed to bring cytotoxic T cells into proximity with tumor cells, triggering a targeted, antigen-dependent immune attack. However, TCE may activate T cells in healthy tissues, leading to off-tumor toxicity.
At the busy annual congress of the American College of Surgeons in Chicago, attendees heard about a study that found rectal bleeding in younger adults – those under 50 years of age – increased their odds of a colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis by a shocking 850%. Already, the demographic has turned up sharply higher cases of the disease in recent years. The ACS meeting was held Oct. 4-7.
Intriguing data in pancreatic cancer didn’t do much to help shares of South San Francisco-based Cytomx Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:CTMX), which closed May 9 at $2.04, down $2.15, or 51%, as the company made known initial findings from the ongoing CX-904 phase Ia dose-escalation study, showing a favorable safety profile and confirmed anticancer activity.
Cytomx Therapeutics Inc. has announced the nomination of the second clinical candidate under its Probody T-cell engaging bispecific (TCB) collaboration with Astellas Pharma Inc. The two companies are collaborating on multiple conditionally activated TCB programs, with T-cell engagers offering new possibilities for the treatment of solid tumors.
Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is involved in cancer cell invasion while it acts as a negative regulator of adhesion. EpCAM is overexpressed in several cancer types, such as colorectal, ovarian or gastric cancer, and its expression is associated with a worse prognosis.
Once a rarity, billion-dollar deals are now coming fast and furious. Now three have appeared in only a few days. Gene therapy developer Voyager Therapeutics Inc. and Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. continued a longstanding partnership by agreeing to develop treatments for neurological diseases and for three new programs with rare CNS targets. Cytomx Therapeutics Inc. and Moderna Inc. entered a deal worth a potential $1.24 billion to Cytomx for generating and developing treatments in oncology and non-oncology. In the third deal, Royalty Pharma plc acquired an interest in Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s royalty in Biogen Inc.'s Spinraza (nusinersen) and Novartis AG's pelacarsen for up to $1.125 billion.
