Celldex Presents Promising Data from ILT4/PD-(L)1 Bispecific Antibody Program at AACR 2021
April 12 2021 - 04:01PM
Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLDX) today announced the
presentation of promising data from the Company’s growing
bispecific platform at the American Association of Cancer Research
(AACR) Annual Meeting 2021 being held April 10th – 15th. The
Company described the discovery and characterization of ILT4
inhibitory monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for engineering bispecific
antibodies (bsAbs) that revert myeloid cell suppression by
antagonizing ILT4 and activate T-cell responses through PD-(L)1
inhibition (poster # 1865). Based on the results reported today,
Celldex is developing clinical bispecific candidates that co-target
ILT4 and PD-(L)1.
Expression of ILT4 in several tumor types is associated with
poor outcome. In preclinical models, antagonist antibodies to ILT4
have demonstrated immune enhancing and antitumor effects. More
recently, in early clinical studies, combination approaches that
combine co-targeting of ILT4 and checkpoint blockade have
demonstrated clinical activity and safety, including in
patients refractory to checkpoint inhibition therapy. The data
Celldex presented at AACR describe novel humanized antibodies with
high affinity and specificity to ILT4 that effectively block immune
suppression in macrophages. Candidate bispecific antibodies matched
with either PD-L1 or PD-1 antibodies resulted in molecules that
retained all the properties of the parental antibodies and
simultaneously blocked the inhibitory signals from both ILT4 and
PD-1. The data provide proof of concept for development of clinical
candidates.
“Celldex continues to draw upon our deep antibody experience to
build best-in-class bispecific antibodies to more effectively
control antitumor immunity,” said Tibor Keler, Ph.D., Executive
Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of Celldex
Therapeutics. “The ILT4/PD-(L)1 approach combines two critical
checkpoint pathways into one molecule, which may provide advantages
from a development perspective and the potential for greater
activity than the combination of the individual antibodies. We look
forward to completing this work and selecting a lead candidate for
advancement.”
Celldex’s deep antibody experience and in-house manufacturing
capabilities support efficient development of bispecific antibody
targets. Targets are selected based on new science as well as their
compatibility to be used in bispecific antibody formats with
existing Celldex antibody programs. CDX-527, which combines CD27
activation and PD-1 blockade, was the first candidate to enter the
clinic from the platform and is currently enrolling patients in a
Phase 1 dose escalation study. Celldex is also exploring important
targets controlling inflammation and auto-immune pathways.
About Celldex Therapeutics, Inc.Celldex is a
clinical stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing
monoclonal and bispecific antibodies that address devastating
diseases for which available treatments are inadequate. Our
pipeline includes antibody-based therapeutics which have the
ability to engage the human immune system and/or directly effect
critical pathways to improve the lives of patients with
inflammatory diseases and many forms of cancer.
Forward Looking Statement This release contains
"forward-looking statements" made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These statements are typically preceded by words such as
"believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "will," "may,"
"should," or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements
reflect management's current knowledge, assumptions, judgment and
expectations regarding future performance or events. Although
management believes that the expectations reflected in such
statements are reasonable, they give no assurance that such
expectations will prove to be correct or that those goals will be
achieved, and you should be aware that actual results could differ
materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties, including, but not limited to, our ability to
successfully complete research and further development and
commercialization of Company drug candidates; the effects of the
outbreak of COVID-19 on our business and results of operations; the
uncertainties inherent in clinical testing and accruing patients
for clinical trials; our limited experience in bringing programs
through Phase 3 clinical trials; our ability to manage and
successfully complete multiple clinical trials and the research and
development efforts for our multiple products at varying stages of
development; the availability, cost, delivery and quality of
clinical materials produced by our own manufacturing facility or
supplied by contract manufacturers, who may be our sole source of
supply; the timing, cost and uncertainty of obtaining regulatory
approvals; the failure of the market for the Company's programs to
continue to develop; our ability to protect the Company's
intellectual property; the loss of any executive officers or key
personnel or consultants; competition; changes in the regulatory
landscape or the imposition of regulations that affect the
Company's products; our ability to continue to obtain capital to
meet our long-term liquidity needs on acceptable terms, or at all,
including the additional capital which will be necessary to
complete the clinical trials that we have initiated or plan to
initiate; and other factors listed under "Risk Factors" in our
annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their
entirety by this cautionary notice. You are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only
as of the date of this release. We have no obligation, and
expressly disclaim any obligation, to update, revise or correct any
of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
Company ContactSarah CavanaughSenior Vice
President, Corporate Affairs & AdministrationCelldex
Therapeutics, Inc.(508) 864-8337scavanaugh@celldex.com
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