SB 11285 Shows Potent and Highly-Durable Anti-Tumor Activity in Several Tumor Models
HOPKINTON, Mass., Oct. 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:SBPH), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of viral infections, inflammatory diseases and certain cancers, announced that it will present a poster (#A25) at 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. today, October 2, 2017, entitled “Pharmacodynamic and preclinical studies of SB 11285, a highly potent, and systemically bioavailable STING agonist as a novel immunotherapeutic agent,” at the AACR Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, taking place in Boston, MA, October 1-4, 2017. The data shows that Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals’ next-generation, proprietary STING (STimulator of INterferon Genes) agonist compound, SB 11285, has highly potent anti-tumor activity along with a durable anti-tumor response when administered by multiple routes in several tumor models.
“Data from multiple tumor models in preclinical studies of SB 11285 demonstrated durable antitumor activity and support continued development of SB 11285, either alone or in combination with other agents, with different routes of administration,” said Radhakrishnan (Kris) Iyer, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals. “We are conducting additional preclinical and IND-enabling studies to support the initiation of the SB 11285 clinical program in mid-2018.”
SB 11285 was evaluated in several syngeneic mouse models, including A20 lymphoma, CT26 colon carcinoma, B16 melanoma, and orthotopic 4T1 breast cancer models, for tumor growth inhibition (TGI) and tumor growth delay (TGD). SB 11285 was administered by intravenous (i.v.), intraperitoneal (i.p.), and intra-tumoral (i.t.) routes. The results are summarized here:
- A20 Lymphoma Model: When SB 11285 was administered by i.t. route, 9 out of 10 animals achieved complete regression with 86% tumor growth inhibition (TGI) and 73% tumor growth delay (TGD). Furthermore, all tumor-free survivors rejected the tumors when re-challenged with A20 cells indicating the induction of immune memory.
- CT26 Colon Carcinoma Model: Dose-ranging studies of SB 11285 were performed using i.t. doses (10 to 100µg on days 1,2,4,6,8), i.p. (1 to 9 mg/kg) and i.v. (1 to 9mg/kg, days 1,3,5,8). Highly durable anti-tumoral responses were seen in the CT26 models with i.t. (94% TGI & 207% TGD), i.p. (62% TGI & 49% TGD), and i.v. (80% TGI & 85% TGD). SB 11285 administered i.t. also showed a significant abscopal effect (a shrinkage of tumors beyond the scope of the localized treatment) in this model.
- B16 Melanoma Model: Administration of SB 11285 resulted in 77% and 56% reductions in mean tumor volumes, when administered i.v. and i.p., respectively, by day 11 post-treatment.
- 4T1 Breast Cancer Model: SB 11285 administered i.p. resulted in 78% reduction in primary tumor volume and showed potent inhibition of tumor metastasis.
The anti-tumor activity observed in these models correlated with anti-tumoral immune response. Immuno-histochemistry combined with flow cytometric analysis of tissues and blood from SB 11285-treated groups revealed the presence of activated immune cells, including CD8+ T cells, natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages critical for anti-tumor effects.
A copy of the poster made during the presentation will be included on the Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals website at www.springbankpharm.com/publications.
About the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy
The AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy is focusing on recent advances in understanding the range of immune responses towards cancer and how these can be modified and harnessed for prevention and therapeutics. The conference features the world’s premier oncologists who will present their latest research on current immunotherapies, engineered cells, checkpoints, and combinations. In addition, highly acclaimed basic researchers and immunologists will present data that bridge the gap between the cutting-edge advances that are under way in the lab, such as single-cell analysis, neoantigens, systems and synthetic biology, and their application to clinical practice.
About Spring Bank
Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of a novel class of therapeutics using its proprietary small molecule nucleic acid hybrid (SMNH) chemistry platform. SMNH compounds are small segments of nucleic acids that the company designs to selectively target and modulate the activity of specific proteins implicated in various disease states. The company is developing its most advanced SMNH product candidate, SB 9200, for the treatment of viral diseases, including hepatitis B virus (HBV) and other SMNH product candidates, including SB 11285, the Company’s lead immunotherapeutic agent for the treatment of selected cancers through the activation of the STING pathway.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release about Spring Bank’s future expectations, plans and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including whether Spring Bank’s cash resources will be sufficient to fund its continuing operations for the periods and/or trials anticipated; whether results obtained in preclinical studies and clinical trials will be indicative of results obtained in future clinical trials; whether Spring Bank’s product candidates will advance through the clinical trial process on a timely basis, or at all; whether the results of such trials will warrant submission for approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies; whether Spring Bank’s product candidates will receive approval from regulatory agencies on a timely basis or at all; whether, if product candidates obtain approval, they will be successfully distributed and marketed; and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of Spring Bank’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 14, 2017, Spring Bank’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, which was filed with the SEC on July 31, 2017, and in other filings Spring Bank makes with the SEC from time to time. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Spring Bank’s views as of the date hereof. Spring Bank anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Spring Bank’s views to change. However, while Spring Bank may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Spring Bank specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Spring Bank’s views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.
Contacts
For investor inquiries:
Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Jonathan Freve
Chief Financial Officer
(508) 473-5993
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
Andrew McDonald
(646) 597-6987
Andrew@lifesciadvisors.com
