Apogenix AG
Apogenix Announces Initiation of Clinical Development for ABBV-621 to Treat Solid and Hematologic Tumors by Partner AbbVie
DGAP-News: Apogenix AG / Key word(s): Study Press Release Apogenix Announces Initiation of Clinical Development for ABBV-621 to Treat Solid and Hematologic Tumors by Partner AbbVie ABBV-621 is a first-in-class, hexavalent Fc-fusion protein based on Apogenix’ proprietary HERA technology platform and is acting as a potent TRAIL-receptor agonist
ABBV-621 is a novel, second-generation TRAIL-receptor agonist consisting of six receptor binding domains of TRAIL (TRAIL: TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand), fused to the Fc-domain of a human IgG1 antibody. This novel protein was engineered by Apogenix employing its proprietary HERA technology platform (HERA: hexavalent receptor agonists; Gieffers et al., Mol. Cancer Ther. 2013, 2735-2747). The substance acts as a pure agonist by binding to TRAIL-receptors on tumor cells, thereby inducing their apoptosis (programmed cell death). ABBV-621 is designed to maximize receptor clustering but does not require Fcγ-receptor-mediated crosslinking for optimal efficacy. This has been deemed an activity-limiting step for competitor antibodies in the clinic. ABBV-621 induces dose-dependent apoptotic cell death at sub- to single-digit nanomolar potencies across a large panel of human hematologic and solid tumor cell lines in vitro. In tumor xenograft models, ABBV-621 exhibits potent antitumor activity in vivo as a monotherapy and in combination with targeted agents or chemotherapy using xenograft tumors derived from colorectal, lung, leukemia, and lymphoma cell lines. In toxicity studies, ABBV-621 was well tolerated with no adverse drug-related findings. “We are excited to see our first HERA-ligand enter clinical development. The unique mechanism of action has the potential to induce apoptosis, thereby eliminating cancer cells, and offers a new treatment option in the fight against cancer,” Thomas Hoeger, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Apogenix, said. “We are looking forward to see first results of the recently initiated clinical study.” In summer 2014, AbbVie acquired the worldwide rights for all TRAIL-receptor agonists developed by Apogenix. AbbVie is responsible for preclinical and clinical development of these compounds. About Apogenix Contact
11.04.2017 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP – a service of EQS Group AG. |