On September 13, 2021 GT Biopharma, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ: GTBP), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company focused on developing innovative therapeutics based on the Company’s proprietary natural killer (NK) cell engager, TriKE protein biologic technology platform, reported the advancement of GTB-3650 into IND-enabling studies, with which it plans to supplant the ongoing Phase 1 program with GTB-3550 (Press release, GT Biopharma, SEP 13, 2021, View Source;trike-into-ind-enabling-studies-301374947.html [SID1234587648]).
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Therapeutic and commercial advantages of GTB-3650 compared to GTB-3550 include:
Based on second generation camelid single-domain antibody technology that holds several advantages over traditional IgG monoclonal antibodies
Improved potency and enhanced binding affinity
Similar preclinical safety profile
Commercial manufacturing capabilities through arrangement with Cytovance
Proprietary patented molecule, which unlike GTB-3550, is wholly owned by GT Biopharma
"We look forward to advancing GTB-3650 toward the clinic" noted Greg Berk, M.D., GT Biopharma’s President of R&D and Chief Medical Officer. "This transition marks the next logical evolution of our TriKE platform. As the company focuses its resources on the most promising pipeline candidates, GTB-3650 will now be able to take advantage of the strong evidence gathered from our first-generation pilot TriKE program. Complementing this development advance, has been the transition of all manufacturing processes to Cytovance Biologics, a leading specialty cGMP contract manufacturing organization. We have now achieved another strategic milestone consistent with our mission to advance novel immuno-oncology drugs to patients with advanced cancers", commented Dr. Berk.
About Camelid Antibodies
Camelid antibodies are single domain antibodies (sdAbs) from the Camelidae family of mammals that include llamas, camels, and alpacas. These animals produce 2 main types of antibodies. One type of antibody camelids produce is the conventional antibody that is made up of 2 heavy chains and 2 light chains. They also produce another type of antibody that is made up of only 2 heavy chains and no light chain. This is known as heavy chain IgG (hcIgG). While these antibodies do not contain the CH1 region, they retain an antigen binding domain called the VHH region. VHH antibodies, also known as single domain antibodies, contain only the VHH region from the camelid antibody. Camelid antibodies have key characteristics, which include high affinity and specificity (equivalent to conventional antibodies), high thermostability, good solubility and strictly monomeric behavior, small size, relatively low production cost, ease of genetic engineering, format flexibility or modularity, low immunogenicity, and a higher penetration rate into tissues.
About GTB-3650
GTB-3650 is the Company’s lead second-generation Tri-Specific Killer Engager TriKE program currently in preclinical development for the treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).