Omeros’ Newly Presented GPR174 Immuno-oncology Data at ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congress Show Inhibition of Both Checkpoint & T...
December 16 2019 - 8:30AM
Business Wire
Omeros Corporation (Nasdaq: OMER) last week presented new data
directed to its novel cancer immunotherapy target GPR174 at the
European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2019 Immuno-Oncology
Congress in Geneva, Switzerland. In addition to previously reported
findings, which revealed enhanced anti-tumor immune responses in
GPR174-deficient mice and synergism between adenosine receptor
antagonists and GPR174 antagonists in promoting interleukin-2
(IL-2) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production from human T cells, this
presentation included new data from human ex vivo studies
demonstrating that GPR174 inhibition results in downregulation of
checkpoint and tumor-promoting factors.
The findings, presented by Marc Gavin, Ph.D., Omeros’ Director
of Immunology, show that GPR174 suppresses T lymphocytes through
the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway. In
addition to suppressing T-cell function, cAMP signaling is known to
enhance production of both cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated
protein 4 (CTLA-4) and amphiregulin (AREG), both important drivers
of tumor development. CTLA-4 is an immune checkpoint molecule
targeted by FDA-approved drugs such as Yervoy® (ipilimumab), and
AREG is a cell growth factor involved in promoting tumor growth.
The data demonstrate that, using either GPR174 small-molecule
inhibitors or in GPR174-deficient mice, the T cell-suppressing
effect of cAMP is blocked, resulting in enhanced “tumor-killing”
T-cell activation. In addition, the new data show that GPR174
inhibitors reduce both CTLA-4 and AREG levels in T cells,
suggesting that multiple pathways – including checkpoint and
tumor-promoting factors – downstream of GPR174 inhibition may be
inactivated, further augmenting anti-tumor immunity and blocking
tumor growth.
“The data show that GPR174 inhibitors enhance anti-tumor immune
responses through multiple pathways, including increased production
of tumor-fighting cytokines IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF while suppressing
expression of CTLA-4 and AREG,” said Gregory A. Demopulos, M.D.,
Omeros’ chairman and chief executive officer. “Among our ongoing
activities, we are exploring the effect of GPR174 inhibition on
other checkpoints, including PD-1, and their inhibitors. We are
increasingly confident in the role of GPR174 in immuno-oncology and
look forward to moving our GPR174 inhibitors into the clinic as
quickly as possible with the hope of improving survival for cancer
patients.”
Dr. Gavin’s recent presentation at ESMO can be accessed on the
company’s website at https://investor.omeros.com/presentations.
About Omeros Corporation
Omeros is an innovative biopharmaceutical company committed to
discovering, developing and commercializing small-molecule and
protein therapeutics for large-market as well as orphan indications
targeting complement-mediated diseases, disorders of the central
nervous system and immune-related diseases, including cancers. In
addition to its commercial product OMIDRIA® (phenylephrine and
ketorolac intraocular solution) 1%/0.3%, Omeros has multiple Phase
3 and Phase 2 clinical-stage development programs focused on
complement-mediated disorders and substance abuse, as well as a
diverse group of preclinical programs including GPR174, a novel
target in immuno-oncology that modulates a new cancer immunity axis
recently discovered by Omeros. Small-molecule inhibitors of GPR174
are part of Omeros’ proprietary G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)
platform through which it controls 54 new GPCR drug targets and
their corresponding compounds. The company also exclusively
possesses a novel antibody-generating platform.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are
subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections for such
statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact
are forward-looking statements, which are often indicated by terms
such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,”
“goal,” “intend,” “likely”, “look forward to,” “may,” “plan,”
“potential,” “predict,” “project,” “prospects,” “should,” “slated,”
“targeting,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions and variations
thereof. Forward-looking statements, including statements regarding
Omeros’ research and development programs and the therapeutic
application of Omeros’ research findings, are based on management’s
beliefs and assumptions and on information available to management
only as of the date of this press release. Omeros’ actual results
could differ materially from those anticipated in these
forward-looking statements for many reasons, including, without
limitation, unproven preclinical and clinical development
activities, availability and timing of data from preclinical or
clinical studies and the results of such studies, risks associated
with product commercialization and commercial operations,
regulatory actions and oversight, intellectual property claims,
competitive developments, litigation, and the risks, uncertainties
and other factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the
company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 1, 2019. Given these risks,
uncertainties and other factors, you should not place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, and the company
assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements,
even if new information becomes available in the future.
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Jennifer Cook Williams Cook Williams Communications, Inc.
Investor and Media Relations 360.668.3701 jennifer@cwcomm.org
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