CD40-targeting therapies have been proposed as an interesting alternative to overcome resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. In particular, bispecific CD40 antibodies can target CD40 more efficiently and safely than monospecific therapies. In a recent publication, researchers at Alligator Bioscience AB and collaborators demonstrate that bispecific antibodies targeting CD40 and tumor-associated antigens (TAA) can enhance priming of tumor-specific T cells in vivo.
Context Therapeutics Inc. has selected CTIM-76, a T cell-engaging bispecific antibody, as its lead clinical development candidate to target Claudin-6 (CLDN6)-positive cancers. Resulting from a research collaboration and licensing agreement with Integral Molecular Inc., CTIM-76 is a CLDN6 x CD3 bispecific antibody that incorporates a highly selective CLDN6 binding arm and a CD3 binding single-chain Fv domain in an IgG format with a silenced Fc that is designed to be functionally monovalent to avoid aberrant T-cell activation and to enhance the safety profile.
Biotheus Inc. out-licensed Chinese rights to its preclinical EGFR/MET bispecific antibody, PM-1080, to Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. for ¥50 million (US$359,150) up front and up to ¥1.42 billion in future development, regulatory and commercialization milestones, plus tiered sales-based royalties.
Conditionally active antibody specialist Cytomx Therapeutics Inc. has agreed to work with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. to discover and develop new bispecific antibodies with what the partners said is the potential to "widen the therapeutic window and help minimize off-target effects."
Biotheus Inc. out-licensed Chinese rights to its preclinical EGFR/MET bispecific antibody, PM-1080, to Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. for ¥50 million (US$359,150) up front and up to ¥1.42 billion in future development, regulatory and commercialization milestones, plus tiered sales-based royalties.
The U.S. FDA cleared teclistamab from Janssen Pharmaceutical Cos. as the first bispecific antibody for treating patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM), joining other BCMA-targeted drugs, including an antibody-drug conjugate and CAR T therapies.
Abpro Corp. has entered into a strategic partnership with Celltrion Holdings Co. Ltd. for ABP-102, a bispecific antibody therapy for patients with HER2+ cancer, including breast, gastric and pancreatic cancers.
Invenra Inc. has announced preclinical data supporting the ongoing development of INV-322, a Sniper bispecific antibody co-targeting CTLA-4 and CD25 for cancer developed using Invenra's B-Body Platform.
Lamkap Bio Alpha AG's κλ bispecific antibodies include a κ light chain recognizing one target and a λ light chain recognizing a second target. The company has presented data showing the benefit of combining a bispecific antibody targeting CEA (CEACAM5) on tumor cells and CD3 on T cells, NILK-2301, and a bispecific antibody targeting CEA on tumor cells and CD28 on T cells, NILK-3301.
With only three bispecific antibodies on the market, potential for the technology remains largely untapped. Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Biotech Inc. is trying to change that. In a new deal with U.K.-based F-star Therapeutics Inc., it’s seeking develop a new generation of bispecifics for undisclosed targets.
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