Agenus Enters into Clinical Collaboration with Nelum for Zalifrelimab Combination
January 26 2021 - 08:30AM
Agenus Inc. (NASDAQ: AGEN), an immuno-oncology company with an
extensive pipeline of checkpoint antibodies, cell therapies,
adjuvants, and vaccines designed to activate immune response to
cancers and infections, today announced that it has entered into a
clinical collaboration with Nelum Corp. to evaluate the safety and
efficacy of zalifrelimab, Agenus’ anti-CTLA-4 antibody, in
combination with NLM-001, Nelum’s small molecule hedgehog
inhibitor, and chemotherapy for first-line advanced pancreatic
cancer.
“This collaboration with Nelum is an exciting next step in our
partnership strategy to broaden combinations and indications with
our late stage checkpoint antibodies,” said Julie DeSander, Vice
President of Business Development and Alliance Management.
“Zalifrelimab, our first generation anti-CTLA-4 antibody, shows
promising results alone and in combination with balstilimab, our
anti-PD-1 antibody, and offers the potential to expand therapeutic
benefit in novel combinations.”
Nelum’s NLM-001 is a best-in-class small-molecule hedgehog
inhibitor that targets cancer-associated fibroblasts. It synergizes
with checkpoint inhibitors by promoting immune cell infiltration
into the tumor microenvironment and increases tumor penetration of
chemotherapy. NLM-001 is active and well-tolerated in patients with
solid tumors, as demonstrated in a Phase I study.
“NLM-001 is designed to disrupt the tumor microenvironment for
increased responsiveness to checkpoint inhibition and improved
delivery of chemotherapy,” said Evelio Perea, Chairman of the Board
of Nelum. “We look forward to evaluating NLM-001 in combination
with Agenus’ checkpoint inhibitor zalifrelimab to expand
therapeutic options for patients with advanced pancreatic
cancer.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Agenus will supply
zalifrelimab to Nelum for the combination study. Nelum will sponsor
and be responsible for the conduct of the trial, which is set to
begin enrolling in 1H21.
About AgenusAgenus is a clinical-stage
immuno-oncology company focused on the discovery and development of
therapies that engage the body's immune system to fight cancer. The
Company's vision is to expand the patient populations benefiting
from cancer immunotherapy by pursuing combination approaches that
leverage a broad repertoire of antibody therapeutics, adoptive cell
therapies (through its AgenTus Therapeutics subsidiary), and
proprietary cancer vaccine platforms. The Company is equipped with
a suite of antibody discovery platforms and a state-of-the-art GMP
manufacturing facility with the capacity to support clinical
programs. Agenus is headquartered in Lexington, MA. For more
information, please visit www.agenusbio.com and our Twitter handle
@agenus_bio. Information that may be important to investors will be
routinely posted on our website and Twitter.
About NelumNelum Corp. is a US-based, clinical
stage biopharmaceutical company that is developing first-in-class
and best-in-class patented drugs with a focus on unmet clinical
needs. Nelum’s NLM-001 is a best-in-class small molecule hedgehog
inhibitor that targets cancer-associated fibroblasts.
Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release
contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the
safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws, including
statements regarding the anticipated benefits of the Nelum
collaboration, the anticipated timing of the combination trial with
zalifrelimab and NLM-001, and the therapeutic potential of
zalifrelimab in novel combinations. These forward-looking
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties
include, among others, the factors described under the Risk Factors
section of our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Agenus cautions investors not to place considerable
reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this
release. These statements speak only as of the date of this press
release, and Agenus undertakes no obligation to update or revise
the statements, other than to the extent required by law. All
forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their
entirety by this cautionary statement.
Contact:Agenus
Inc. Caroline
Bafundo 212-994-8209Caroline.Bafundo@agenusbio.com
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