LEXINGTON, Mass., April 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Agenus Inc.
(NASDAQ: AGEN), an immuno-oncology company with a pipeline of
immune-modulating antibodies, cancer vaccines, adjuvants and
adoptive cell therapies1, today announced that the first
patient was dosed in the clinical trial of its next-generation
anti-CTLA-4 antibody (AGEN1181). AGEN1181, a novel 'Fc engineered'
antibody with potential for enhanced anti-tumor functions, is
specifically designed to boost cancer killing immune cells and
deplete cells that block the activity of these cancer killing
cells.
The first patient in the trial was dosed by Dr. Steven J. O'Day, M.D., Executive Director of the
John Wayne Cancer Institute & Cancer Clinic, and a pioneer in
delivering immune therapies to patients with cancer. Dr.
O'Day's pivotal work has led to the approvals of commercial
antibodies targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1. "AGEN1181 represents an
important next-generation breakthrough with its potential for
enhanced immune activation and tumor fighting abilities," said Dr.
O'Day. "The pre-clinical data so far suggest that AGEN1181 may
bring superior benefit compared to first generation anti-CTLA-4
antibodies and may be an optimal partner for combinations. I am
thrilled to be working with this compound."
"AGEN1181 is a product of Agenus' innovation engine that has
been key to rapidly delivering new discoveries to patients," said
Garo Armen, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO
of Agenus. "AGEN1181 was developed based on a new mechanism of
action discovered by our scientists. In addition to this
monotherapy trial, we plan to pursue combination studies with
AGEN1181 soon. Besides AGEN1181, additional important discoveries
from our innovation engine are also advancing towards the clinic
this year."
The Phase 1, open-label, multicenter study is designed to assess
the maximum tolerated dose of AGEN1181 in subjects with advanced
solid tumors. It will also evaluate the safety, tolerability, PK,
and PD profiles and immunogenicity of this antibody. The outcome
will determine the recommended phase II dose of AGEN1181.
AGEN1181 was developed based on a discovery made by Agenus
scientists, that involves modification of a key region of an
antibody, known as the "Fc region", to design next-generation, 'Fc
engineered' antibodies that may significantly enhance functionality
and antitumor immunity. To learn more about AGEN1181 and its
potential advantages over first-generation anti-CTLA-4 antibodies,
please see Agenus' Newsletter here.
About Agenus
Agenus 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, proprietary cancer vaccine platforms, and
adoptive cell therapies (through its AgenTus Therapeutics
subsidiary). 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 early phase 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.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are
made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the federal
securities laws, including statements regarding: the clinical
utility of AGEN1181; expectations regarding the results of the
Phase 1 study of AGEN1181; expectations for future clinical trial
plans and development activities of AGEN1181; our clinical trial
plans and activities, research and development plan and activities
for antibodies other than AGEN1181; and the anticipated operations
and benefits of AGEN1181 and our other programs. 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.
Jennifer Buell, PhD
781-674-4420
Jennifer.Buell@agenusbio.com
1 Through AgenTus Therapeutics, a subsidiary of
Agenus
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SOURCE Agenus Inc.