Aura Biosciences Presents Preclinical Data Highlighting AU-011’s Anti-Tumor Activity in Choroidal Metastasis, an Additional Ocular Oncology Indication at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting
May 03 2022 - 4:05PM
Business Wire
Preclinical studies support further development
of AU-011 for choroidal metastasis
Aura Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ: AURA), a clinical-stage
biotechnology company developing a novel class of virus-like drug
conjugate (VDC) therapies for multiple oncology indications, today
announced the presentation of preclinical data for its first VDC
product candidate, AU‑011. AU-011 is in development for the
treatment of multiple ocular oncology indications, including
primary choroidal melanoma and choroidal metastasis. The results
presented today highlight AU-011’s targeted cytotoxicity towards
tumor cells derived from the most common cancer types known to
metastasize to the choroid. The results were presented as part of
the 2022 Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
Annual Meeting taking place in Denver, CO on May 1 - 4 and
virtually on May 11 - 12.
“The data presented at ARVO demonstrates AU-011’s potent
cytotoxicity in human cancer cell lines as well as in multiple in
vivo tumor models including breast, renal and colon cancer which
are well known to metastasize to the choroid,” said Elisabet de los
Pinos, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Aura. “These results
support our commitment to build our ocular oncology franchise and
provide a potential novel treatment for patients with cancers in
the eye. We look forward to submitting the IND in choroidal
metastases in the second half of this year.”
In vitro potency was observed across a panel of human cancer
cell lines. Cells were treated with AU-011 followed by light
activation, and dose-dependent cell binding and cytotoxicity were
noted. Addition of heparin to the binding studies prevented AU-011
association with the tumor cells demonstrating AU-011’s specific
targeting of tumor associated heparan sulfate proteoglycans
(HSPGs). Syngeneic murine models of breast, colon, and renal cancer
were employed to evaluate AU-011’s anti-tumor activity in vivo and
dose-dependent efficacy was observed across all models. The studies
herein support further development of AU-011 for choroidal
metastasis.
Details for the presentation are as follows:
Title: A first in class Virus-Like Drug Conjugate (VDC)
shows anti-tumor activity in Cancers that Commonly Metastasize to
the Choroid Presentation Number: 2616 Presenter:
Anneli Savinainen, Aura Biosciences Session Title: Where art
thou tumor? - Ocular tumor physiology and metastases Date and
time: Tuesday, May 3 at 3:00 – 3:17 PM ET Location: 1AB
Mile High Ballroom (Denver Convention Center)
The presentation can be accessed by visiting the “Scientific
Presentations” section of “VDC Platform” page of the Aura
Biosciences website.
About Aura Biosciences
Aura Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company
developing virus-like drug conjugates (VDCs), a novel class of
therapies, for the treatment of multiple oncology indications.
Aura’s lead VDC candidate, AU-011 (belzupacap sarotalocan),
consists of a virus-like particle conjugated with an anti-cancer
agent. AU-011 selectively targets and destroys cancer cells and
activates the immune system with the potential to create
long-lasting anti-tumor immunity. AU-011 is currently in
development for ocular cancers, with an ongoing Phase 2 dose
escalation clinical trial evaluating first-line treatment of
choroidal melanoma, a vision- and life-threatening form of eye
cancer where standard of care with radiotherapy leaves patients
with severe comorbidities, including major vision loss. Aura plans
to develop AU-011 across its ocular oncology franchise including
for the treatment of patients with choroidal metastases. In
addition, leveraging Aura’s technology platform, Aura is developing
AU-011 more broadly across multiple cancers, starting with a
planned Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with non-muscle invasive
bladder cancer. Aura is headquartered in Cambridge, MA.
For more information, visit aurabiosciences.com, or follow us on
Twitter and LinkedIn.
Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995, as amended, and other federal securities laws. Any statements
that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be
forward looking statements. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could”,
“should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,”
“estimates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “seeks,” “endeavor,”
“potential,” “continue” or the negative of such words or other
similar expressions that can be used to identify forward-looking
statements. These forward looking statements include express or
implied statements regarding Aura’s future expectations, plans and
prospects, including, without limitation, statements regarding the
therapeutic potential of AU-011 for the treatment of choroidal
metastasis, and expectations with respect to the anticipated timing
of the submission of an IND in choroidal metastases.
The forward-looking statements in this press release are neither
promises nor guarantees, and investors should not place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements because they involve
known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of
which are beyond Aura’s control and which could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by
these forward-looking statements, including, without limitation,
uncertainties inherent in clinical trials and in the availability
and timing of data from ongoing clinical trials; the expected
timing for submissions for regulatory approval or review by
governmental authorities; the risk that the results of Aura’s
clinical trials may not be predictive of future results in
connection with future clinical trials; whether Aura will receive
regulatory approvals to conduct trials or to market products;
whether Aura’s cash resources will be sufficient to fund its
foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital
expenditure requirements; risks, assumptions and uncertainties
regarding the impact of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic on Aura’s
business, operations, strategy, goals and anticipated timelines;
Aura’s ongoing and planned pre-clinical activities; and Aura’s
ability to initiate, enroll, conduct or complete ongoing and
planned clinical trials. These risks, uncertainties, and other
factors include those risks and uncertainties described under the
heading “Risk Factors” in Aura’s most recent Annual Report on Form
10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
and in subsequent filings made by Aura with the SEC, which are
available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as required
by law, Aura disclaims any intention or responsibility for updating
or revising any forward-looking statements contained in this press
release in the event of new information, future developments or
otherwise. These forward-looking statements are based on Aura’s
current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof and no
representations or warranties (express or implied) are made about
the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220503005212/en/
Investor and Media: Matthew DeYoung Argot Partners
212-600-1902 | aura@argotpartners.com
Aura Biosciences (NASDAQ:AURA)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Aura Biosciences (NASDAQ:AURA)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024