CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Surface Oncology, an immuno-oncology company developing next-generation immunotherapies that target the tumor microenvironment, announced today a CD73 antibody program, the next program in its growing pipeline of innovative medicines. Propelling this program is an expanded research collaboration with Dr. John Stagg, a pioneer in understanding the role of CD73 and adenosine signaling in tumor biology. Dr. Stagg, Professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy at University of Montreal and principal investigator at the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) and its affiliated Cancer Institute of Montreal, is a co-founder and scientific advisor to the Company.
“I’m very excited to collaborate with the Surface team. Our hope is that the CD73 antibodies being developed have the potential to improve the effectiveness of existing PD1 and CTLA4 immunotherapies, and increase the number of patients who benefit from these treatments.”
“The adenosine pathway is an exciting area of immuno-oncology and CD73 is a critical factor that enables tumors to suppress the immune response,” said Dr. Stagg. “I’m very excited to collaborate with the Surface team. Our hope is that the CD73 antibodies being developed have the potential to improve the effectiveness of existing PD1 and CTLA4 immunotherapies, and increase the number of patients who benefit from these treatments.”
CD73 generates extracellular adenosine, a key factor in suppressing the immune response. Tumors that overexpress CD73 are protected from immune attack. Pioneering work from Dr. Stagg’s laboratory has shown that CD73 expression correlates with chemotherapy resistance and is a negative prognostic marker in multiple cancer types, such as triple-negative breast cancer, and ovarian cancer.
“We’re very excited to be collaborating with Dr. Stagg, who is a leading researcher in the CD73-adenosine pathway,” said Vito Palombella, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Surface Oncology. “His guidance as a scientific advisor has been instrumental to the rapid progress of our CD73 antibody program.”
About Surface Oncology
In order to re-activate a patient’s immune response to cancer, Surface Oncology is developing next-generation immunotherapies targeting the tumor microenvironment. Our broad attack has the potential to convert patients’ non-responsive ‘cold’ tumors into immune-active ones. We are committed to advancing our diverse pipeline of immunotherapies, including our fully human CD47 antibody program, to bring more cures to patients who do not benefit from existing cancer treatments. To accomplish this, Surface’s world-class team is working with our network of leading academic advisors and a robust scientific platform integrating tumor immunology, antibody characterization, and translational science. Headquartered in the heart of Cambridge’s Kendall Square, Surface was founded by Atlas Venture and financed by an industry-leading syndicate of investors.
For more information, visit www.surfaceoncology.com.
Media:
Sam Brown Inc.
Cory Tromblee, 617-571-7220
corytromblee@sambrown.com
