Hillstream Advances Next-Gen Multispecific Antibodies for Solid Tumors with Lead HER2/HER3 Program, HSB-3215
July 20 2023 - 8:00AM
Hillstream BioPharma, Inc. (“Hillstream”, the “Company”) today
announced the expansion of its collaboration with Minotaur
Therapeutics, Inc. (“Minotaur”) and its license agreement with
OmniAb, Inc. (“OmniAb”) to advance the development of next
generation targeted Knob biologics (PicobodiesTM) against HER3 and
a new undisclosed oncology target. Hillstream will collaborate with
Minotaur using OmniAb’s “OmniTaur™” technology to discover targeted
biotherapeutic Picobodies complementing Hillstream’s most advanced
program, HSB-3215, a HER2/HER3 bispecific antibody (BsAb).
As a diverse group of molecules, BsAbs recognize distinct
epitopes on two different antigens, in the case of HSB-3215, HER2
and HER3. These validated targets, belong to the ERBB receptor
tyrosine kinase family and are exploited by cancer cells to promote
oncogenesis. HER2 is an extensively validated target, and emerging
evidence suggests that HER3 plays a key role as well. While HER3
has little to no tyrosine kinase activity on its own, its
activation promotes tumors through dimerization or locking into
place with HER2, which is believed to intensify its cancer-causing
potential.
Hillstream’s lead program, HSB-3215, is designed as a BsAb
targeting the extracellular domains of HER2 and HER3. HSB-3215
binds to both overlapping and different epitopes on HER2 in
contrast to approved therapies, with ligand-blocking and potential
complementary fit to HER3, affecting
novel conformational epitopes thought to be important in
intracellular downstream signaling in tumor cells. HSB-3215 and
HER3 associated novel Picobodies offer the potential to target
previously undruggable epitopes of these clinically validated
targets, distinguishing them from earlier generations of
antibodies.
Picobodies, which are a characteristic of antibodies in bovine
animals, are derived from ultra-long complementary determining
region 3 (CDR3) domains which potentially enable access to epitopes
that had previously been hidden or highly inaccessible in
traditional antibody development. With a much smaller size compared
to traditional antibodies, combined with structural diversity,
Picobodies can bind to conformational, linear or discontinuous
epitopes in “undruggable” targets.
Picobodies are derived from bovines, which unlike other species,
express ultralong CDR-H3 regions forming an independently folding
mini-domain, that protrudes far out from the surface of the
antibody and is diverse in both its sequence and disulfide
patterns. These atypical antigen binding sites of bovines
potentially provide the ability to interact with different
antigenic determinants capable of eliciting an immune response,
particularly recessed or concave surfaces, compared to traditional
antibodies. This conceivable “multi-specific” capacity of
PicobodiesTM could more efficiently target multiple cell surface
portions compared to known or existing biologics. Hillstream aims
to develop both HSB-3215 and other antibodies using this framework
to interchange antigen-recognition sites designed to fit distinct
portions of the HER2/HER3 heterodimer complex potentially effecting
both ligand-dependent and independent signaling pathways into tumor
cells. The Company intends to develop its lead program, HSB-3215
and file an IND application with the US FDA late next year.
Dr. Vaughn Smider, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of
Minotaur, stated “We are excited to continue Minotaur’s
collaboration with Hillstream to progress novel next-generation
targeted cancer biologics.”
Randy Milby, Chief Executive Officer of Hillstream, stated, “We
are extremely pleased with the progress made to date. The Knob
biologics program continues to be a great addition to our portfolio
as we rapidly progress our lead asset HSB-3215 towards an IND.
Hillstream is now poised to develop a novel technology for creating
multiple proteins to enhance targeted cancer immunotherapy.”
About Hillstream BioPharma, Inc.Hillstream
BioPharma, Inc. is a biotechnology company developing a focused
portfolio of therapeutic candidates targeting drug resistant and
devastating cancers. The Company’s emerging immuno-oncology
pipeline is led by HSB-3215, a novel anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody
targeting unique epitopes with a novel mechanism of action. The
erbB/HER family of cell surface proteins include well-known and
validated drug targets including HER2 and HER3 found in multiple
solid tumors, including breast, lung, GYN, endocrinological and
CNS. Hillstream has a license agreement with OmniAb, Inc. to access
the company’s antibody discovery technology platform. For more
information about Hillstream, please
visit: www.hillstreambio.com.
About Minotaur TherapeuticsMinotaur
Therapeutics is a private biotechnology company developing unique
biotherapeutics for oncology and immunology. Minotaur uses the
novel ultralong CDR3 scaffold of bovine antibodies which allows
unique targeting properties. Minotaur has licensing and partnership
arrangements with The Applied Biomedical Science Institute on this
emerging therapeutic class and its underlying technologies.
Forward Looking StatementsCertain statements in
this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements
may be identified using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,”
“forecast,” “estimated” and “intend” or other similar terms or
expressions that concern Hillstream’s expectations, strategy, plans
or intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on
Hillstream’s current expectations and actual results could differ
materially. There are several factors that could cause actual
events to differ materially from those indicated by such
forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not
limited to, clinical trials involve a lengthy and expensive process
with an uncertain outcome, and results of earlier studies and
trials may not be predictive of future trial results; our clinical
trials may be suspended or discontinued due to unexpected side
effects or other safety risks that could preclude approval of our
product candidates; risks related to business interruptions which
could seriously harm our financial condition and increase our costs
and expenses; dependence on key personnel; substantial competition;
uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; dependence upon
third parties; and risks related to failure to obtain Food and Drug
Administration (“FDA”) clearances or approvals and noncompliance
with FDA regulations. Investors should read the risk factors set
forth in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and
our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. However, these risks are not exhaustive and new
risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not
possible for us to predict all risks and uncertainties that could
have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this
press release. Forward-looking statements included herein are made
as of the date hereof, and Hillstream does not undertake any
obligation to update publicly such statements to reflect subsequent
events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.
Investor Contact: Investor Contact:
investorrelations@hillstreambio.com
Source: Hillstream BioPharma, Inc.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a459c3f8-0f70-4c7f-85ca-1db213e9271b
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