Colorectal cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Recent advancements in immunotherapy have demonstrated the potential of targeting immune checkpoints and co-inhibitory pathways to enhance antitumor responses.
Boston Immune Technologies and Therapeutics Inc. (BITT) has received IND clearance from the FDA for a first-in-human trial of BITT-2101, a monoclonal antibody that targets tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2), in patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs).
Dualyx NV has completed a €40 million (US$44 million) series A financing, allowing the company to advance its lead autoimmune program, DT-001, as well as its pipeline of regulatory T-cell (Treg) candidates.
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Its transmembrane form activates the type II tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR2), functioning via cell-to-cell contact. In contrast, its soluble form activates TNFR1; studies in animal models have evidenced TNFR1 to activate neurotoxic pathways, while TNFR2 activation pathways may have protective effects within the central nervous system due to activation of reparative mechanisms.
Multinational antibody specialist Hifibio Therapeutics Inc. closed an oversubscribed $75 million series D financing round to move its anti-TNFR2 antibody HFB-200301 and the anti-OX-40 antibody HFB-301001 to phase I trials by the end of this year.
HONG KONG – Beijing-based Beigene Ltd. struck its second deal outside China this year, signing an option and license agreement with Boston Immune Technologies & Therapeutics Inc. (BITT) for the latter’s tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) antagonist antibodies.
