Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) comprising an antibody targeting folate receptor α (FOLR1; FR-α) covalently linked to a cytotoxic drug have been described in a Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd. patent and are reported to be potentially useful for the treatment of cancer.
Hypersialylation in tumor cells is a potent mechanism of tumor immune evasion, pushing cancer progression by suppressing both innate and adaptive antitumor immunity. Shanghai Henlius Biotech Inc. has developed an engineered human sialidase enzyme fused to an anti-B7-H3 nanobody, named E-688 or HLX-316, that improves tumor desialylation, durability and efficacy both in vitro and in vivo, while maintaining a safe profile.
Shanghai Ailux Biotechnology Co. Ltd. and Ailux Inc. have presented preclinical data regarding the characterization of ALX-006, a 2+2 symmetric IgG1 PD‑1×VEGF bispecific antibody developed and designed for dual PD‑L1 and VEGF blockade as a cancer immunotherapeutic.
Laguna Biotherapeutics Inc. has obtained IND clearance from the FDA for its cancer immunotherapeutic LGNA-100 (QUAIL-100). The planned first-in-human phase I study will evaluate LGNA-100 in pediatric and young adult participants with high-risk acute leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes following αβ-depleted hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to prevent leukemic relapse.
Tacalyx GmbH has selected its first clinical candidate, TCX-201, and secured €11 million (US$12.8 million) in a first closing of its seed extension round to support the program’s progression through preclinical development. TCX-201 is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) against an undisclosed tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen (TACA).
Astrazeneca AB has reported new antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) comprising an antibody or antigen-binding fragment covalently linked to cytotoxic drug potentially useful for the treatment of cancer.
T-cell engagers (TCEs) drive synthetic antitumor immunity by bypassing endogenous T-cell priming and directly inducing tumor cell killing. In prostate cancer, targeting prostate-restricted antigens such as STEAP2, combined with CD8-guided TCE formats that favor cytotoxic T-cell engagement, offers a strategy to reduce cytokine release while maintaining antitumor activity.
Evolveimmune Therapeutics Inc. has announced the nomination of a development candidate against a solid tumor target as part of its ongoing partnership with Abbvie Inc., triggering an $18 million milestone payment to Evolveimmune.
Researchers from Hangzhou DAC Biotechnology Co. Ltd. reported preclinical efficacy data for DXC-016, a next-generation, subcutaneously administered, dual-payload c-Met-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) derived from the DXA-016 anti-c-Met nanobody.
Tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2 (TROP2) is a transmembrane glycoprotein involved in different signaling pathways that promote proliferation, migration and invasion of tumoral cells, and its overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in multiple cancer types. Astellas Pharma Inc. has developed a TROP2-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), ASP-2998, and recently presented preclinical data on the candidate.