On November 19, 2015 Aduro Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADRO) reported that it has established European subsidiary headquarters at the BioNovion site in Oss, Netherlands now called Aduro Biotech Europe (Press release, Aduro BioTech, NOV 19, 2015, View Source [SID:1234508289]). On October 30, 2015, Aduro acquired BioNovion, a biopharmaceutical antibody discovery and development company, to broaden its technology portfolio and increase its immunotherapy capabilities.

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"In addition to expanding our pipeline with complementary technologies, we are pleased that this acquisition allows us to integrate a highly experienced scientific team and expand our clinical development presence abroad," said Stephen T. Isaacs, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Aduro. "With our new base in Europe, we look forward to collaborating with the local European medical and business communities as we initiate international clinical research programs."

In addition to Aduro’s established LADD and CDN technologies, Aduro’s new combined offerings include the B-select monoclonal antibodies (B-select) platform, which is designed to produce first- and best-in-class agonist and antagonist monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that may be used to create a deep pipeline of products focused on harnessing the immune system of cancer patients. Aduro is an immuno-oncology company that has multiple therapeutic platforms with the potential to yield powerful immunotherapy combinations.

Monoclonal antibody expertise will remain in the Aduro Biotech Europe office in the Netherlands, which will operate as a subsidiary. Andrea van Elsas, Ph.D. and Hans van Eenennaam, Ph.D, chief scientific officer and chief operating officer of BioNovion respectively, will retain their roles and titles at Aduro Biotech Europe.

Near term clinical development plans include the initiation of a global Phase 3 trial to evaluate the combination of CRS-207, a LADD-based immunotherapy, and standard-of-care chemotherapy in patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Clinical trial sites in Europe will open in 2016. MPM – a rare, difficult to treat cancer that is commonly associated with asbestos exposure – is still a significant health problem throughout Europe, with the highest MPM related mortality rate globally and over 50,000 MPM related deaths between 1994-2008.1,2

The integration of Aduro’s newly acquired B-select technology provides a new platform for Aduro to continue to build a strong oncology research and development pipeline. Aduro’s broad portfolio of immunotherapy candidates positions the company to potentially offer patients around the globe novel therapeutic options and combinations that are alternatives to traditional therapies.