On March 23, 2022 Elicio Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a pipeline of novel immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and other diseases, reported the presentation of preclinical data demonstrating that its lymph node-targeted CpG TLR9 agonist, Amphiphile-CpG (AMP-CpG), induces potent immune and anti-tumor responses, at the STING & TLR-Targeting Therapies Summit 2022 Digital Event, being held virtually from March 22-24, 2022 (Press release, Elicio Therapeutics, MAR 23, 2022, View Source [SID1234610716]). The electronic presentation is accessible here.

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"We are excited to see the preclinical responses observed across studies with our AMP platform. These responses reinforce previous findings and continue to demonstrate how targeted delivery of AMP-CpG to the lymph nodes promotes a potent cellular immune response to the respective disease-associated antigens – validating our lymph node-targeted approach to treating cancer and infectious diseases," said Peter DeMuth, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Elicio Therapeutics. "These preclinical datasets have also informed our AMP boosting approach to enhance established T cell receptor therapies (TCR-Ts)."

The AMP platform is designed to deliver therapeutic payloads directly to the lymph nodes, the "schoolhouse" of the immune system, activating a potent, functional and durable immune response. Elicio’s AMP platform with the CpG adjuvant has been shown to enhance the accumulation of AMP-CpG bound payloads in the lymph nodes, thus educating the body’s immune cells and resulting in a more potent immune response. This has enabled Elicio to unlock the untapped potential of lymph node-targeting for the treatment of several indications. In SARS-CoV-2, for example, vaccination with AMP-CpG demonstrated potent and durable T cell responses across several variants of concern. When combined with TCR-Ts, AMP-CpG enhances TCR-T cell persistence and anti-tumor function. Elicio has also demonstrated potent responses with its AMP-CpG adjuvant across a range of other antigens including those from Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus and influenza.

Presentation Details

Title: Lymph-Node Targeted TLR9 Agonists Enable Potent Cellular Immune Responses Against Cancer & Infectious Disease

Highlights from the Presentation

AMP-CpG efficiently targets the lymph nodes to promote potent and comprehensive innate immune activation resulting in enhanced T and B cell responses with improved functionality and persistence
Application of AMP-CpG enables potent anti-tumor responses in multiple settings of therapy including therapeutic vaccination and TCR-T cell therapy
Application of AMP-CpG enables potent and balanced immunity, including CD8 and CD4 T cells as well as neutralizing cross-reactive antibodies, against viral pathogens
About the Amphiphile Platform

Our proprietary Amphiphile, or AMP, platform delivers investigational immunotherapeutics directly to the "brain center" of the immune system – the lymph nodes. We believe this site-specific delivery of disease-specific antigens, adjuvants, and other immunomodulators may efficiently educate, activate, and amplify critical immune cells, potentially resulting in induction and persistence of potent adaptive immunity required to treat many diseases. In preclinical models, we have observed lymph node-specific engagement driving therapeutic immune responses of increased magnitude, function and durability. We believe our AMP lymph node-targeted approach will produce superior clinical benefits compared to immunotherapies that do not engage the lymph nodes.

Our AMP platform, originally developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT, has broad potential across cancers, infectious diseases and other disease indications to advance a number of development initiatives through internal activities, in-licensing arrangements or development collaborations and partnerships.

The Amphiphile platform is thought to deliver immunotherapeutics directly to the lymph nodes by latching on to the protein albumin, found in the bloodstream, as it travels to lymphatic tissue. In preclinical models, we have observed lymph node-specific engagement driving therapeutic immune responses of increased magnitude, function and durability.

On March 23, 2022 Manhattan BioSolutions, Inc, an emerging biotechnology company developing a new class of targeted immunotherapies for the treatment of advanced and metastatic cancers, reported that it has been awarded a grant from the University at Buffalo Center for Advanced Technology in Big Data and Health Sciences (UB CAT program) (Press release, Manhattan BioSolutions, MAR 23, 2022, View Source [SID1234610713]). The UB CAT grant will enable early-stage preclinical characterization of novel monoclonal antibody-based therapies targeting immunomodulatory receptors highly expressed in hematological malignancies. This collaborative research will be conducted in partnership with the laboratory of Dr Dhaval Shah, Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, whose cutting-edge research in protein therapeutics and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling has significantly impacted drug development field around the globe.

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The new monoclonal antibody (mAb) being developed by Manhattan BioSolutions binds to a highly conserved lymphocyte surface receptor that senses the presence of various components from fungi, viruses, and bacteria. This protein functions to regulate T-cell activation and plays an important role in the development and progression of hematological cancers. The proposed project focuses on experimental validation of the new mAb, enabling generation of safe and highly efficacious antibody-drug conjugates directed against selected tumor antigen.

Dr Borys Shor, Chief Executive Officer, Manhattan BioSolutions, commented, "This new program will expand Manhattan BioSolutions’ current discovery pipeline focused on the unique biologic therapies at the intersection of innate, adaptive immunity and cancer. Our industry expertise in antibody- and antibody-drug conjugate development complements world-class research conducted by Dr Shah’ laboratory and thus strengthen our commitment to discover innovative medicines for patients in need."

Dr Dhaval Shah added, "The primary benefit of this collaboration is the strong synergy between our teams based on the unique expertise in antibody discovery, translational pharmacology and pharmacokinetic modeling of novel biologics. Together, we will be in a strong position to fully validate the selected antibodies in preclinical experiments."

On March 23, 2022 Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: APDN), a leader in cell-free, enzymatic DNA production, reported that CEO Dr. James A. Hayward is invited to present at the 2022 Virtual Growth Conference presented by Maxim Group LLC and hosted by M-Vest, on March 28th – 30th from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EDT (Press release, Applied DNA Sciences, MAR 23, 2022, View Source [SID1234610708]). Dr. Hayward’s presentation will be available on-demand for the duration of the conference via the sign-up link: Sign up here to access the presentation

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During the virtual conference, investors will hear from executives from a wide range of sectors, including Biotech, Clean Energy, Electric Vehicles, Financial Services, Fintech & REITS, Gaming & Entertainment, Healthcare, Healthcare IT, Infrastructure, Shipping and Technology/ Media/Telecom. The conference will feature company presentations, fireside chats, roundtable discussions, and live Q&A with CEOs moderated by Maxim Research Analysts.

This conference will be live on M-Vest. To attend, sign up to become an M-Vest member: Click Here to Reserve your seat

On March 23, 2022 Ichnos Sciences Inc., a global biotechnology company developing novel multispecific antibodies for the treatment of cancer using the proprietary BEAT platform1, reported that preclinical data for ISB 1442, a first-in-class 2+1 biparatopic bispecific antibody that targets both CD38 and CD47, will be presented at the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, to be held in New Orleans from April 8-13, 2022 (Press release, Ichnos Sciences, MAR 23, 2022, View Source [SID1234610703]). ISB 1442 is being investigated as a treatment for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia.

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"The data being presented at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) highlight the potential for ISB 1442, our first-in-class biparatopic CD38 x CD47 bispecific antibody, in multiple myeloma," said Stefano Sammicheli, Ph.D., Director of Innate Cell Engagers, at Ichnos Sciences. "This compound has shown higher potency and greater inhibition of tumor growth relative to daratumumab in both in vitro and in vivo models, suggesting that ISB 1442 may overcome common mechanisms of resistance to other CD38 targeted therapies, which is coupled with low potential for on-target off-tumor effects seen with other CD47 directed treatments."

"We are excited to have the opportunity to present at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper), and to share ISB 1442 data that support our plan to move this drug into a Phase 1 study in the middle of this year," said Cyril Konto, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Ichnos Sciences. "Advancing ISB 1442 is particularly important to Ichnos because it is built using BEAT 2.0, which is among the most advanced antibody engineering platforms and the basis of our discovery efforts for novel multispecifics to treat hematologic malignancies and solid tumors."

Ichnos Sciences continues to advance its pipeline of agents based on the proprietary BEAT technology platform. Using this platform, Ichnos Sciences is exploring the full design space for treating cancer and engineering multispecific antibodies capable of simultaneously engaging tumor and immune cells.

Details for the poster presentation are shared below:

Session PO.IM02.10 – Therapeutic Antibodies 2
April 12, 2022, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

2903 / 18 – ISB 1442, a first-in-class CD38 and CD47 bispecific antibody innate cell modulator for the treatment of CD38+ malignancies

Posters will be available on-demand on the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) website at www.aacr.org beginning at the start of the poster session and the abstract is available to view here.

On March 23, 2022 LUMICKS, a next generation life science tools company, reported that a research study published in Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences from the Radboud University Medical Center, led by researchers in the team of Professor G. J. Adema, detailed a novel method to study lead compound effects on immune cell interactions by employing LUMICKS’ z-Movi Cell Avidity Analyzer (Press release, LUMICKS, MAR 23, 2022, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-study-highlights-interaction-between-dendritic-cells-and-t-cells [SID1234610701]).

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The interaction between dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells is a critical step in the activation of T cells and initiation of the immune response. The strength and duration of the bond formed between DCs and T cells plays an important role in the robustness of the immune response mounted by T cells. Therefore, modulating the functionality of DCs to increase their avidity to T cells could be a key factor in improving cancer immunotherapies.

The z-Movi Cell Avidity Analyzer provides an exciting new method to assess the avidity between immune cells, such as DCs and T cells, in response to the addition of lead compounds that can alter DC functionality and potentially further the development of novel cellular immunotherapies. In this study, the authors examined the effect of a sialic acid-blocking mimetic on DCs and DC-T-cell interactions.

Said Prof. Adema, professor of Molecular Immunology at the Radiotherapy & OncoImmunology lab in the department of Radiation Oncology at RIMLS/Radboud, "The z-Movi platform was a great help to quantify dendritic cell – T-cell interactions and allowed us to demonstrate the important role sialic acids play in both antigen-dependent and the antigen-independent interactions between these immune cells."

Added Andrea Candelli, Chief Scientific Officer of LUMICKS, "We are very pleased by this paper’s findings about the important role measuring cell avidity can play in improving our understanding of the immune system. We take great pride in collaborating with and supporting leading scientific researchers around the world who find that the power of our revolutionary technology can help them discover underlying insights that advance our ability to treat human health issues."

The z-Movi measures the avidity between immune cells and their targets, enabling researchers to identify the most potent immunotherapeutic effector cells. This new technology provides predictive, reproducible, and fast results at a single-cell resolution without compromising cell viability, and ensures sterile and safe sample handling. LUMICKS’ cell avidity solutions use acoustics to measure forces and interactions between cells, with the goal of shortening the drug development cycle for adoptive cell therapies and other immunotherapies and reducing failure rates in clinical trials. First introduced in 2020, the z-Movi has found wide appeal in academic and biopharma laboratories around the world, with a rapid uptake in sales in 2021.