CULVER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ImmunityBio, Inc. a privately-held, clinical-stage immunotherapy company, today announced positive preclinical results for its human Ad5 vaccine candidate that contains both the spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) SARS-CoV-2 proteins (hAd5 S + N) for preventing COVID-19. The results were published in bioRxiv (“A Next Generation Bivalent Human Ad5 COVID-19 Vaccine Delivering Both Spike and Nucleocapsid Antigens Elicits Th1 Dominant CD4+, CD8+ T Cell and Neutralizing Antibody Responses”).

First generation adenoviral-based vaccines are hampered by pre-existing adenovirus immunity, which reduces the immunogenicity of the vaccines. In addition, with vaccines that target S alone, there is a risk that they may be rendered ineffective due to the high likelihood of spike protein mutation.

“By additionally targeting the N antigen, which is highly conserved between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 and unlikely to mutate, our vaccine candidate is designed to generate long-term memory T cells activated by N protein, similar to those memory T cells that have been discovered in SARS-CoV patients 17 years after they recovered. These findings underscore the importance of developing a more broadly acting CD4+ T cell-centric vaccine that activates both cell-mediated and antibody immunity to protect against SARS-CoV-2,” said Patrick Soon-Shiong, M.D., Chairman and CEO of ImmunityBio.

The preclinical study showed that the bivalent hAd5 vaccine resulted in robust T cell and humoral immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 S and N antigens. Immunogenicity in mice was assessed after two doses given 21 days apart (Day 0 and Day 21). Immune responses measured on Day 28 showed that the vaccinations elicited robust T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2. Importantly, a statistically significant CD4+ T cell response to N protein was generated in all five mice. This is consistent with studies in patients who have recovered from SARS-CoV who show memory T cells to N protein. Four out of 5 mice generated an S-specific antibody response, with evidence of Th1 dominance. Two of these mice demonstrated potent neutralizing antibodies as they relate to the RBD ACE2 interface. Analysis of both T cell cytokine responses and antibody isotypes demonstrated that the overall immune response was highly skewed towards T helper (Th1) cell dominance important for mitigating the risk of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection.

“To create durable immune protection from COVID-19, the optimal adenovirus vector delivering the vaccine candidate should be capable of inducing robust, durable T-cell, as well as humoral responses in everyone, including people who have preexisting immunity to adenovirus, a naturally-occurring virus to which up to 60% of the population has been exposed in some regions,” said Dr. Soon-Shiong. “This important preclinical study, which uses a second generation adenovirus vector, addresses the issue of preexisting ad immunity. We believe this is the first human adenovirus vaccine candidate to use S and N constructs to generate both T cell and humoral responses.”

ImmunityBio plans to administer the hAd5 vaccine both as a prime and a booster to sustain protection against SARS-CoV-2. The company has completed GMP dosage formulations that have already been manufactured in the United States. In ongoing studies, use of this vaccine construct in oral and sublingual formulations to induce mucosal, cell-mediated, and humoral immunity are being explored.

ImmunityBio has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the FDA to initiate Phase 1 trials of this next-generation hAd5 S+N vaccine to be administered subcutaneously in healthy volunteers. The company plans to submit the full data from this study for publication in a peer-reviewed journal in the coming weeks.

Agreement to Jointly Develop, Manufacture and Market COVID-19 Therapeutics and Vaccine
In May, NantKwest and ImmunityBio entered into a binding term sheet to pursue collaborative joint development, manufacturing, and marketing of certain COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines. The parties intend to equally share all costs relating to developing, manufacturing and marketing the product candidates globally; the net profits from the collaboration products will be shared, with 60% in favor of the party contributing the product on which the sales are based. The companies are negotiating the terms of a definitive agreement and anticipate finalizing documentation before August 21, 2020 after which either party can terminate the binding term sheet upon five business days’ written notice if an agreement is not finalized.

About ImmunityBio
ImmunityBio, Inc. is a late-stage immunotherapy company developing next-generation therapies that drive immunogenic mechanisms for defeating cancers and infectious disease. The company’s immunotherapy platform activates both the innate (natural killer cell and macrophage) and adaptive (T cell) immune systems to create long-term “immunological memory.” This novel approach is designed to eliminate the need for high-dose chemotherapy, improve upon the outcomes of current CAR T-cell therapies, and extend beyond checkpoint inhibitors.

ImmunityBio’s platform is based on the foundation of three separate modalities: antibody cytokine fusion proteins, synthetic immunomodulators, and second-generation vaccine vector technologies.

ImmunityBio’s lead cytokine infusion protein, a novel interleukin-15 (IL-15) superagonist complex (Anktiva™), has received Breakthrough Therapy and Fast Track Designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for BCG-unresponsive CIS non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Other indications currently at registration-stage trials include BCG-unresponsive papillary bladder cancer, first and second line lung cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, metastatic pancreatic cancer, recurrent glioblastoma, and soft tissue sarcoma in combination with the company’s synthetic immune modulator (Aldoxorubicin).

ImmunityBio is also developing therapies, including vaccines, for the prevention and treatment of HIV, influenza, and the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 with its second-generation human adenovirus (hAd5) vaccine platform.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning or implying that ImmunityBio will be successful in improving the treatment of various diseases, including, but not limited to the novel coronavirus and cancer. Risks and uncertainties related to this endeavor include, but are not limited to, the company’s beliefs regarding the success, cost, and timing of its development activities and clinical trials.

Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to update these statements except as may be required by law.

About NantKwest
NantKwest (NASDAQ: NK) is an innovative, clinical-stage immunotherapy company focused on harnessing the power of the innate immune system to treat cancer and virally-induced infectious diseases. NantKwest is the leading producer of clinical dose forms of off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell therapies. The activated NK cell platform is designed to destroy cancer and virally-infected cells. The safety of these optimized activated NK cells—as well as their activity against a broad range of cancers—has been tested in Phase I clinical trials in Canada and Europe, as well as in multiple Phase I and II clinical trials in the United States. By leveraging an integrated and extensive genomics and transcriptomics discovery and development engine, together with a pipeline of multiple, clinical-stage, immuno-oncology programs, NantKwest’s goal is to transform medicine by delivering off-the-shelf, novel NK cell-based therapies to routine clinical care. For more information, please visit www.nantkwest.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning or implying that NantKwest will be successful in improving the treatment of cancer or other critical illnesses, including COVID-19. Risks and uncertainties related to these endeavors include, but are not limited to, obtaining FDA approval of NantKwest’s NK cells as well as other therapeutics and manufacturing challenges.

Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

These and other risks regarding NantKwest’s business are described in detail in its Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including in NantKwest’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 24, 2020. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to update these statements except as may be required by law.

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