Cambridge, UK – 20 September 2016 – F-star, a biopharmaceutical company developing novel bispecific antibodies with a focus on immuno-oncology, announces it is to present preclinical data on its lead bispecific programme FS118 at the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) conferences.
FS118 is currently in preclinical development and has the potential to be a first-in-class antagonist targeting both LAG-3 (Lymphocyte-Activation Gene 3) and PD-L1 (Programmed Death-Ligand 1), two immune check point receptors strongly implicated in allowing cancers to evade the host immune system.
The FS118 bispecific programme harnesses the full potential of F-star’s Modular Antibody Technology™ by introducing an anti-LAG-3 Fcab™ (Fc-domain with antigen binding activity) into an antibody targeting PD-L1, generating a so-called mAb²™. As a full-length IgG, FS118 retains the characteristics of conventional antibodies, with comparable structure, functionality and manufacturing properties.
F-star plans to file an IND application for FS118 in 2017 to advance the programme into clinical development. Initial proof-of-concept studies in syngeneic mouse models have demonstrated the potential for FS118 to deliver greater efficacy and favourable tolerability compared to monotherapy combinations in a range of cancers.
Neil Brewis, CSO of F-star, commented: “By combining two activities in a single drug, FS118 represents the next generation of immunotherapies and we look forward to progressing it into clinical development. This is an important step for F-star as we continue to exploit our Modular Antibody Technology platform to provide more efficient immunotherapies for cancer patients.”
F-star will also present data on FS101, an earlier stage mAb2 directed against EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) and HGF (Hepatocyte Growth Factor). This first-in-class bispecific antibody in oncology has shown encouraging activity in mouse xenograft models and a decreased skin toxicity compared with monotherapies, demonstrating further the potential of the Modular Antibody Technology.
F-star is scheduled to attend and present at the following events:
(1) Phacilitates Immunotherapy Europe 2016
21-22 September 2016, Maritim Proarte Hotel, Berlin
John Haurum, CEO of F-star, to chair a session entitled “Next generation approaches to Immuno-Oncology: what will the next wave of investigative therapies, tools and technologies deliver?” on 21 September 2016 at 4.45 pm CEST.
(2) Second CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival 25-28 September 2016, Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York, USA
Jaqueline Doody, VP Immunology, to present a poster on FS118 at the event.
(3) World Bispecific Antibody Summit
28-30 September 2016, The Westin Copley Place, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Mihriban Tuna, VP Discovery, to present the FS101 programme on 28 September at 2.00 pm EDT.
(4) AACR - Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy
20-23 October 2016, Boston Marriott Copley Place, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
F-star to present the FS118 programme on 21 October at 3.00 pm EDT during the session on Immunomodulation.
