Researchers from Janssen Research & Development LLC presented preclinical data for JNJ-87801493, a first-in-class CD20 targeted CD28 costimulatory bispecific antibody (Ab), currently in early clinical development for the treatment of B-cell malignancies.

The collaboration will combine Rondo’s proprietary CD28 co-stimulatory platform with Lilly’s drug development and commercialization expertise to develop co-stimulatory bispecific antibodies to treat solid tumors.

Eterna Therapeutics Inc. has announced plans to evaluate the ability of ERNA-101 to induce and modulate antitumor immunity in ovarian cancer and breast cancer models through a sponsored research agreement with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Oncoc4 Inc. has obtained IND approval from the FDA for AI-081, a PD-1 and VEGF bispecific antibody for the treatment of advanced solid tumors.

Ipsen SA and Biomunex Pharmaceuticals SAS have signed an exclusive global licensing agreement for BMX-502, a preclinical novel T-cell engager with potential for solid tumors. BMX-502 is a bispecific antibody that engages and activates mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells and targets the GPC3 tumor antigen, to kill cancer cells.

There is increasing interest in developing precision immunotherapies that target tumors but with minimal impact on healthy tissues. IL-12 is a potent immunostimulatory cytokine that has shown effective antitumoral activity in the preclinical setting, but its systemic delivery may be accompanied by off-target effects.

Nectin-4 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) and checkpoint inhibitor combinations have represented a great advancement in the treatment of bladder cancer, but relapse and treatment-related toxicities underscore the need for new therapeutic strategies.