Lycera To Present At The 2015 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting

NEW YORK and ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Lycera Corp., a biopharmaceutical company developing breakthrough medicines to treat cancer and autoimmune disease, today announced that the Company will present preclinical research from its novel cancer immunotherapy program at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, which will take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 18-22, 2015.

Specifics for the upcoming poster presentation at the AACR conference are as follows:

• “RORgamma agonists as a novel immunotherapy approach for cancer.” Poster Session: Novel Immunomodulators, Abstract Number 4273, Tuesday, Apr 21, 2015, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM ET, Location: Section 24, Poster Board No. 3.

Abbreviated Abstract Summary: Agents that enhance activation or release suppression of the immune system could form the basis of new treatments for cancer. The receptor RORgamma modulates expression of genes involved in multiple anti-tumor mechanisms. Lycera’s program to advance small molecule RORgamma agonists has demonstrated:

• Select immune cells (Th17 and Tc17) differentiated in the presence of RORgamma agonists exhibit decreased expression of inhibitory molecules, such as PD-1, and increased expression of costimulatory molecules. Th17 and Tc17 cells are reported to mediate potent and durable anti-cancer efficacy.
• In vitro activation of certain Tc17 cells with RORgamma agonists generates potent effector cells that control the growth of large EG7 tumors when transferred into a preclinical in vivo model. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from this model have enhanced survival and decreased PD-1 expression.
• Oral administration of RORgamma agonists in a preclinical in vivo model significantly inhibits the growth of established, subcutaneous MC38 colon carcinoma tumors.
• RORgamma agonists also inhibit growth of established, subcutaneous 4T1 mammary carcinoma tumors in an in vivo model.

The abstract concluded that, as a transcription modulator, RORgamma agonists increase immune activation and decrease immune suppression. These activities translate into robust anti-tumor effects in syngeneic tumor models and represent a promising approach for the treatment of cancer.

Authors: Xiao Hu¹, Jacques Moisan¹, Charles Lesch¹, Yahong Wang¹, Xikui Liu¹, Rodney Morgan¹, David Mertz¹, Brian Sanchez¹, Dick Bousley¹, Clark Taylor¹, Chad Van Huis¹, Thomas Aicher¹, Peter Toogood¹, Weiping Zou², Gary Glick¹, Laura L. Carter¹. ¹Lycera Corp; ²University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. Dr. Laura Carter, Lycera’s Senior Vice President, Biology, will present the poster at the AACR conference.

About Lycera

Lycera is a biopharmaceutical company advancing novel treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases based on a proprietary portfolio of small molecules designed primarily to either suppress or activate the immune response. The Company’s world-class expertise in distinct, yet complementary, areas of research immune metabolism, cell signaling and immune cell differentiation has generated four wholly owned programs, including a lead product candidate to treat inflammatory bowel disease (LYC-30937) expected to enter clinical testing in the first half of 2015. In addition, Lycera has established two collaborations with partner Merck to discover, develop and commercialize small molecule therapies for autoimmune disorders. The Lycera leadership team possesses deep experience from drug discovery and development through commercialization and has established close relationships with renowned thought leaders and clinical researchers worldwide. Lead investors in Lycera include InterWest Partners, ARCH Venture Partners, Clarus Ventures and EDF Ventures. For more information on Lycera, please visit www.lycera.com.

CONTACT:

For Media:
Justin Jackson, Burns McClellan, on behalf of Lycera Corp.
212-213-0006, ext. 327
jjackson@burnsmc.com

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SOURCE Lycera Corp.