Researchers from Biontech SE and Genmab BV presented the discovery and preclinical evaluation of a novel Duobody-EpCAMx4-1BB (BNT314/GEN1059), a novel Fc-inert immunomodulatory bispecific antibody (bsAb) designed to boost antitumor immune responses through EpCAM-dependent 4-1BB agonistic activity.

Duo Oncology Inc. has been awarded a Small Business Technology Transfer grant by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to support the development of DUO-307, a combination nanomedicine that delivers cytotoxic polymer conjugated gemcitabine (PGEM) and an immune modulating chemokine receptor type 2 antagonist (CCR2a) to tumor tissue.

There is a need for new agents targeting PD-1/PD-L1 because many patients either do not respond or develop resistance to treatment.

Ankyra Therapeutics Inc. has received approval of its IND application by the FDA and its clinical trial application (CTA) by Health Canada for its lead agent, ANK-101, a novel tumor-directed anchored immune medicine.

Kalivir Immunotherapeutics Inc. has announced FDA clearance of an IND application for a phase I study of ASP-1012 (formerly VET2-L2) in participants with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors. The trial is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year.

Data regarding an innovative bispecific antibody – CPL-976 (CPBT-0976) – were recently reported by Celon Pharma SA. Bispecific antibodies targeting more than one antigen on cancer cells improve the specificity and effectiveness of the therapy, and could be utilized for targeting the defense mechanisms of cancer cells, such PD-L1 or EGFR, VEGFR and AXL.

Caribou Biosciences Inc. has received FDA clearance of its IND application for CB-012, an allogeneic anti-C-type lectin-like molecule-1 (anti-CLL-1) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. CLL-1 is highly expressed on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells and leukemic stem cells, but it is not expressed on hematopoietic stem cells.