On November 9, 2020 Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CALA), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer and other life-threatening diseases, reported that new preclinical data for the company’s novel IL4I1 inhibitor CB-668 will be presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) Virtual Annual Meeting 2020 (Press release, Calithera Biosciences, NOV 9, 2020, View Source [SID1234570335]).

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CB-668 is a potent, selective, small-molecule, oral inhibitor of IL4I1, an amino acid oxidase that inhibits anti-tumor immunity and promotes tumor growth. IL4I1 regulates several aspects of adaptive immunity, including inhibition of cytotoxic T cells through its production of both hydrogen peroxide and activators of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. CB-668 increases pro-inflammatory gene expression in tumors leading to an anti-tumor effect in mouse tumor models. Calithera has selected CB-668 as a clinical candidate and IND-enabling studies are ongoing.

"We are excited to share these new preclinical data on CB-668, which is the first compound in development designed to target IL4I1," said Susan Molineaux, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Calithera. "Given the overexpression of IL4I1 in human tumors, particulary ovarian tumors and B cell lymphomas, CB-668 has the potential to provide a new therapeutic approach for a variety of cancer types."

The preclinical data being presented by Andrew MacKinnon, Ph.D., demonstrate that CB-668 is a potent and selective inhibitor of IL4I1, exhibiting immune-mediated, single agent activity in syngeneic mouse tumor models. CB-668 was well-tolerated at efficacious doses in animal studies. In addition, CB-668 augments checkpoint inhibitors in these models.

Title: Anti-tumor activity of CB-668, a potent, selective and orally bioavailable small-molecule inhibitor of the immuno-suppressive enzyme Interleukin 4 (IL-4)-Induced Gene 1 (IL4I1)
Abstract: #506
Location: SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) Virtual Poster Hall
Dates/Times:November 11-14, 2020, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET

Additional meeting information can be found at the SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) website www.sitcancer.org. The CB-668 poster presentation will be available at www.calithera.com on the Publications page beginning November 11th.