On January 6, 2020 Yisheng Biopharma Co., Ltd. ("Yisheng Biopharma"), a biopharmaceutical company focusing on research, development, manufacturing, sales and marketing of immunological biologics and vaccines, and Tavotek Biotherapeutics, a biotech company focusing on novel multi-specific antibodies in immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases, reported that the companies have entered into a strategic research alliance and collaborate in the development involving their lead assets in oncology (Press release, Yisheng US Biopharma, JAN 6, 2020, View Source [SID1234552768]). The objective of the alliance is to co-develop a combination therapy of YS-ON-001/002 and Tavo-301/303 for cancer treatment. The two companies are also in discussions regarding additional research and development collaborations beyond oncology.
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"We are excited to collaborate with Tavotek, which has a rich pipeline of multi-specific antibodies and advanced technology platforms in oncology and other therapeutic areas," commented Dr. David Shao, President and Chief Executive Officer of Yisheng Biopharma. "As potent agonists of TLR3, MDA5 and RIG-I pathways, YS-ON-001 and YS-ON-002 have demonstrated promising effects in activating the innate and adaptive immune systems and modulating the tumor microenvironment, and YS-ON-001 has shown an excellent safety profile with clinical data to date. By combining YS-ON-001/002 with multi-specific antibodies directed against tumors, we are well positioned in developing a first-in-class immunotherapy with potentially higher response rates. We look forward to working with the Tavotek team to explore the potential synergy of YS-ON-001/002 and Tavo-301/303."
"The collaboration with Yisheng aligns with Tavotek’s mission to develop life-changing therapies for patients with significant unmet medical need," said Dr. Mann Fung, Chief Executive Officer of Tavotek. "Current immuno-oncology approaches such as PD1/PDL1 antibody achieve only approximately 20 to 30 percent response rates in clinical settings. A majority of cancer patients still are not seeing a benefit from current therapies. We believe a combination regimen of YS-ON-001/002 with multi-specific IO antibodies, such as Tavo-301/303, will have beneficial impact on cancer care."
YS-ON-001 and YS-ON-002 are immunotherapeutic products based on the TLR3/RIG-I/MDA-5 signaling pathways of PIKA immunomodulating technology. They are capable of both reducing the immunosuppressive effect of tumor microenvironment and enhancing the anti-tumor function of the immune system to tumor cells. YS-ON-001 is currently in clinical development in China and Singapore, and has received orphan drug designations from the U.S. FDA for treatment of pancreatic and liver cancers. The product has been approved in Cambodia for the treatment of advanced solid tumors. YS-ON-002 is a clinical candidate ready for IND submission. YS-ON-001/002 can be an integral immunotherapy component with standard of oncology care, such as chemotherapies, targeted therapies and checkpoint inhibitors or with emerging immunotherapies for additive or synergistic treatment benefits.
Tavo-301/303 is a series of novel multi-specific antibody-based Immuno-Oncology assets that was developed using Tavotek’s proprietary TavoSelect Platform. Novel protein engineering employing TavoSelect technology generates multi-specific biologics with optimal molecular profiles for targeting multiple relevant epitopes simultaneously to manage difficult-to-treat solid tumors. These biologics modulate the immunosuppressive pathway by multiple mechanisms of action to promote anti-tumor response and efficacy. The TavoSelec technology also provides biologic molecules with favorable pharmacokinetic profiles and stable formats for ease of development and manufacturing.