Next-generation T-cell engager (TCE) specialist Cytospire Therapeutics Ltd. has raised £61 million (US$82.7 million) in a series A round, equipping it to advance the lead program CYT-X300 to the clinic in the treatment of EGFR-positive solid tumors. The company’s pan gamma delta (γδ) TCEs are designed to overcome problems with cytokine release syndrome, on-target effects on healthy cells, and the excessive activation of CD3 that have occurred with earlier bispecific antibodies that bind to the CD3 receptor on T cells.
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).
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.
A patient death marred Erasca Inc.’s phase I dose-escalation efforts with pan-RAS molecular glue ERAS-0015 in cancer, and shares (NASDAQ:ERAS) ended April 28 at $9.90, down $9.25. ERAS-0015 is being tested in RAS-mutant solid tumors, specifically non-small-cell lung and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Although CAR T-cell therapy has been highly effective in hematological cancers, its activity in solid tumors is still constrained by inhibitory checkpoints such as PD-1, LAG-3 and TIM-3, together with the lack of locally available cytokines such as IL-2 needed to sustain T-cell function. Anwita Biosciences Inc. and collaborators aimed to overcome these challenges by developing a strategy integrating an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) with a T-cell stimulatory cytokine.
An advantage of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) is that they allow targeted delivery of cytotoxic agents into tumors, thus improving the therapeutic index. Pfizer Inc. has developed a new ADC, PF-08046033, that contains auristatin S (AurS) as the cytotoxic payload and targets transmembrane glycoprotein NMB (GPNMB).
Recent evidence has pointed toward Werner syndrome helicase (WRN) as an attractive target for the management of microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) tumors, including colorectal, gastric and endometrial cancer mainly.
CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.’s SYS-6051 has gained clinical trial clearance from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for advanced solid tumors. SYS-6051 is a human tissue factor-targeted antibody-drug conjugate that binds to tissue factor expressed on the surface of tumor cells.
Oricell Therapeutics Holdings Ltd closed a $110 million pre-IPO round to expand its global footprint and advance its lead candidate, a GPC3-targeted autologous CAR T therapy for liver cancer to registrational trials.
Oricell Therapeutics Holdings Ltd closed a $110 million pre-IPO round to expand its global footprint and advance its lead candidate, a GPC3-targeted autologous CAR T therapy for liver cancer to registrational trials.
