On November 7, 2024 IASO Biotherapeutics ("IASO Bio"), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, manufacturing and commercializing innovative cell therapy and antibody products, reported that the results of the phase 1b/2 clinical study FUMANBA-1 of its fully human anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy, Equecabtagene Autoleucel (trade name: Fucaso), for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/RMM), have been published in the leading medical journal JAMA Oncology (Press release, IASO Biotherapeutics, NOV 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234647986]). The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Equecabtagene Autoleucel in patients with R/RMM who had previously received ≥3 lines of prior therapies. The results demonstrated that Equecabtagene Autoleucel achieved a high overall response rate and durable remission in patients, with a favorable safety profile.

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JAMA Oncology published clinical data on 103 patients who received infusion of Equecabtagene Autoleucel (Fucaso) as of September 9, 2022, with a median follow-up of 13.8 months (range: 0.4-27.2 months). In terms of efficacy, among the 101 evaluable patients, the overall response rate (ORR) was 96.0% (97/101), and the stringent complete response/complete response rate (sCR/CR) was 74.3% (75/101). Among the 89 patients without prior CAR-T therapy, the ORR was 98.9% (88/89), and the sCR/CR rate was 78.7% (70/89). In these 101 patients, the median time to response was 16 days (range: 11-179), while the median duration of response (DOR) and median progression-free survival (PFS) had not been reached yet. The 12-month PFS rate was 78.8% (95% CI: 68.6-86.0). Additionally, 95% (96/101) of the patients achieved minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity, with a median time to MRD negativity of 15 days (range: 14-186). All patients with sCR/CR achieved MRD negativity, and the median duration of MRD negativity had not been reached.

In terms of safety, 93.2% (96/103) of the patients experienced cytokine release syndrome (CRS), most of which were grade 1 or 2, with only one patient experiencing grade 3 or higher CRS. Only 1.9% (2/103) of the patients developed immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), with one case each of grade 1 and grade 2.

Notably, updated data from this study, as of December 31, 2022, was presented during the 2023 American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. The median follow-up had increased to 18.07 months, with an ORR of 96.1% among the 103 evaluable patients. The sCR/CR rate was 77.7%, and all patients who achieved CR or better exhibited 100% MRD negativity. Among the 91 patients without prior CAR-T therapy, the ORR reached 98.9%, with an sCR/CR rate of 82.4% and an MRD negativity rate of 97.8%. Notably, 81.7% of these patients remained MRD-negative at 12 months post-infusion, with a 12-month PFS rate was 85.5%. In addition, Equecabtagene Autoleucel could showed prolonged persistence in the body, at 12 months post-infusion, 50% of patients had a vector copy number (VCN) above the limit of detection, and 40% still had detectable VCN persistence at 24 months.

Professor Lu-gui Qiu, from the Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, stated: "The results of the FUMANBA-1 study demonstrate the encouraging efficacy and safety of Equecabtagene Autoleucel in treating patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Its groundbreaking fully human scFv design overcomes the high immunogenicity issues commonly associated with animal-derived CAR-T cells while maintaining optimal affinity for BCMA-expressing tumor cells. Its excellent dissociation kinetics facilitates rapid expansion and long-term persistence of Equecabtagene Autoleucel in vivo."

Professor Huang He, from The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, stated, "Equecabtagene Autoleucel (Fucaso) was approved in China in June 2023. Over the past year since its launch, it has brought significant survival benefits to patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma in China and from overseas. Meanwhile, we have accumulated valuable real-world experience, and we expect this innovative therapy to benefit more patients."

Professor Chunrui Li, from Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, stated: "Equecabtagene Autoleucel is the world’s first fully human CAR-T therapy to be approved. It’s binding to BCMA, utilizing both heavy and light chains with optimal affinity, facilitates dissociation from BCMA antigen after tumor cell killing, thereby reducing CAR-T cell self-exhaustion. Along with lower immunogenicity, this leads to rapid, deep, and sustained remission in patients with multiple myeloma."

Dr. Jie Chen, Chief Medical Officer of IASO Bio, stated: "We are delighted that the phase 1b/2 clinical study data of Equecabtagene Autoleucel for the treatment of R/RMM has been published in JAMA Oncology. The results of this study, which targeted patients with R/RMM who had previously received ≥3 lines of prior therapies are very inspiring. We thank the FUMANBA-1 research team for their rigorous scientific approach and high-standard execution. Currently, IASO Bio is actively conducting and advancing the phase III clinical study (FUMANBA-3) of Equecabtagene Autoleucel for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients who have received 1-2 lines of prior therapies. We anticipate this clinical study, based on clinical data from Chinese patients, will yield positive results soon, bringing new treatment option for more patients."

About FUMANBA-1 study

FUMANBA-1 is a single-arm, open-label phase 1b/2 registrational clinical study conducted in 14 Chinese centers to assess the efficacy and safety of the Equecabtagene Autoleucel in patients with R/RMM who have received ≥3 lines of prior therapies. The trial enrolled patients with RRMM who had previously received at least three lines of therapy, including proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory agents-based chemotherapy regimens, and had disease progression on their last line of therapy. Patients who had previously received BCMA CAR-T therapy were also eligible for enrollment.

About Equecabtagene Autoleucel (Fucaso)

Equecabtagene Autoleucel (Fucaso) is an innovative fully-human anti- BCMA CAR-T cell therapy which uses lentivirus as a gene vector to transfect autologous T cells. The CAR contains a fully-human scFv, CD8a hinge and transmembrane, and 4-1BB-mediated co-stimulation and CD3ζ activation domains. Based on rigorous molecular structure screening and comprehensive in vitro and in vivo functional evaluations, Fucaso demonstrates rapid and potent efficacy, accompanied by exceptional long-term persistence in vivo, enabling patients to achieve higher and deeper remissions, providing continuous protection and care for those suffering from multiple myeloma.

On November 7, 2024 Ryvu Therapeutics (WSE: RVU), a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company focusing on novel small molecule therapies that address emerging targets in oncology, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, and provided a corporate update (Press release, Ryvu Therapeutics, NOV 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234647985]).

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Pawel Przewiezlikowski, Chief Executive Officer of Ryvu Therapeutics, said:

– We have significantly accelerated enrollment in RVU120 Phase II studies since September thanks to the activation of numerous new sites in the RIVER-52 and RIVER-81 studies for patients with r/r AML and HR-MDS and the launch of the REMARK study for patients with LR-MDS. We are looking forward to launching the fourth RVU120 Phase II study – POTAMI-61 – shortly, which will focus on patients with myelofibrosis. By the end of the year, we plan to summarize the initial data from the most advanced RVU120 clinical development paths at an investor event scheduled for December 12. In parallel, we are preparing to launch JASPIS-01, a Phase II study of MEN1703 (SEL24) in patients with DLBCL, while also advancing our promising preclinical pipeline.

Q1-Q3 2024 SUMMARY AND RECENT CORPORATE EVENTS

Pipeline progress

In early 2024, Ryvu launched two Phase II studies with RVU120: (i) the RIVER-52 study investigating RVU120 as monotherapy in two genetically defined cohorts of patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) AML and in a cohort of patients with HR-MDS, and (ii) the RIVER-81 study investigating RVU120 in combination with venetoclax in patients with r/r AML.
The RIVER-52 study was initially launched at clinical sites in Poland and Italy. Starting in September 2024, the study expanded to Spain, France and Canada. During the summer, the site activation process was slower than expected, primarily due to the limited availability of site staff. This staff shortage, combined with the presence of competing clinical studies at several sites impacted the actual enrollment rate vs. original estimates. Increased site activation efforts and additional measures to maximize enrollment resulted in a return to expected patient enrollment levels starting in September 2024. As of October 31, 2024, 33 sites had been activated for enrollment, more than doubling the number of active sites since the status reported on August 31, 2024, when 16 sites were active. Ryvu aims to activate a total of 46 sites by the end of Q4 2024.
The RIVER-81 study was initially launched at clinical sites in Poland and Italy, followed by the activation of additional sites in Spain and France. As of October 31, 2024, 33 sites had been activated out of a total of 34 sites that the Company plans to activate in the aforementioned four countries by the end of the year.
In September, Ryvu announced the dosing of the first patient in REMARK, a Phase II study evaluating the efficacy of RVU120 as a monotherapy for the treatment of patients with low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS). The REMARK study has commenced enrollment of patients across five countries: Poland, Germany, France, Spain and Italy. Up to approximately 25 clinical sites are planned to be activated across these countries. REMARK is being conducted as an investigator-initiated study through the EMSCO network with Prof. Uwe Platzbecker, a globally renowned expert in the field of LR-MDS, as the Coordinating Principal Investigator.
POTAMI-61, a Phase II study investigating RVU120 both as a monotherapy and in combination therapy to treat patients with myelofibrosis (MF), was initially launched at clinical sites in Poland and Italy. As of October 31, 2024, five clinical sites have been activated for enrollment, with a total of 18 sites planned to be activated across these two countries by the end of 2024. Patient dosing is expected to commence shortly.
At the 2024 EORTC-NCI-AACR (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper) (ENA) Symposium (October 23-25, Barcelona, Spain), Ryvu presented clinical and preclinical data from RVU305 (MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitor), the ONCO Prime discovery platform, RVU120 (CDK8/19 inhibitor), and the WRN inhibitor program. Key takeaways:
Ryvu has developed a potentially best-in-class MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitor, RVU305, demonstrating favorable drug-like properties and effective PRMT5 inhibition dependent on MTA binding.
Ryvu has developed a proprietary platform, ONCO Prime, to discover novel synthetic lethal (SL) inhibitors targeting key oncogenic drivers such as KRAS and other mutations. ONCO Prime uses human intestinal stem cell (hISC)-derived cancer model cells, patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), and clinical samples to conduct genomic and functional analyses.
Ryvu is developing a series of potent and selective WRN helicase inhibitors that demonstrate pronounced efficacy in tumors with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H). The compounds exhibit favorable pharmacokinetics, achieving optimal exposure and target engagement, further enhancing their therapeutic potential in MSI-H cancers.
RVU120 is being tested in patients with solid tumors in an ongoing Phase I/II clinical trial, AMNYS-51. RVU120 has demonstrated a manageable safety profile across multiple dose levels and dosing schedules in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors with early signs of activity in patients with adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC).
On September 9, 2024, the Management Board decided to advance Ryvu’s potentially best-in-class PRMT5 inhibitor RVU305 to further steps of preclinical development, including toxicology and API/IMP manufacturing, targeting IND/CTA filing in H2 2025.
Key business events

In October 2024, Ryvu Therapeutics and nCage Therapeutics announced a research collaboration to develop a next-generation antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) platform.
In October 2024, Ryvu announced the conclusion of an agreement for the operational execution of the MEN1703 (SEL24) Phase II clinical trial in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), known as the JASPIS-01 study. The agreement pertains to the operational execution of Part 1 of the JASPIS-01 study. The company’s partner, Menarini Group, will fully reimburse all costs associated with the agreement.
From March to September 2024, Ryvu fulfilled conditions for the disbursement of all three tranches of financing from the EIB. In total, Ryvu has now received EUR 22 million from the EIB.
In June 2024, Ryvu concluded a funding agreement with the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development ("PARP") and expects to receive approximately USD 6.6 million (PLN 26.3 million) in grant funding over five years to support its proprietary ONCO Prime discovery platform.
In May 2024, Ryvu obtained the status of Associate Partner within the IPCEI Med4Cure program with its PANACEA-NOVO project – a unique platform for the discovery of new therapeutic targets with potential in the treatment of rare cancers, combined with several early discovery campaigns for innovative drugs. Ryvu expects that potential future grant funding may cover 75-80% of Ryvu’s total project costs, which are estimated to be PLN 142.5 million.
In February 2024, Ryvu announced that it had achieved the second milestone under the license agreement with Exelixis and received a USD 2.0 million (PLN 7.9 million) payment.
UPCOMING INDUSTRY AND INVESTOR EVENTS

Central European Technology Forum – CETEF’24, (Krakow, Poland) November 18-19. Paweł Przewięźlikowski, CEO of Ryvu, will deliver a presentation entitled: "From discovery to a new hope for blood cancer patients".
Life Science Open Space Summit, (Krakow, Poland) November 28-29. Kamil Sitarz, COO of Ryvu, will deliver a presentation entitled: "Building project value through clinical development".
Investor Event: RVU120 Program Progress and Data Update – Thursday, December 12, 10:00 AM CET to discuss the ongoing RVU120 Phase II studies.
Q3 2024 FINANCIAL UPDATE

Cash Position – On September 30, 2024, Ryvu Therapeutics held USD 65.2 million in cash, cash equivalents, and bonds, compared to USD 63.7 million on December 31, 2023. On November 4, 2024, Ryvu Therapeutics held USD 58.1 million in cash, cash equivalents, and bonds.

Operating Revenues – In the first three quarters of 2024, Ryvu recognized total operating revenues (including grants) of USD 18.6 million, compared to USD 11.9 million in corresponding period of 2023.

Operating costs, related primarily to research and development expenditures, excluding the valuation of NodThera shares and non-cash cost of valuation of the Incentive Program for the first three quarters of 2024, amounted to USD 38.2 million, compared to USD 27.4 million for the same period last year.

Net Loss Attributable to Common Shareholders – In the first three quarters of 2024, the net loss attributable to common shareholders, excluding the non-cash cost of the Incentive Program, amounted to USD 18.5 million, compared to USD 13.5 million in the previous year.

On November 7, 2024 Cellenkos Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing allogeneic, off-the-shelf, T regulatory (Treg) cell therapies for inflammatory disease areas of high unmet needs and autoimmune disorders, reported that its CK0804 Phase 1b study data in myelofibrosis has been selected for oral presentation at the 66th Annual Meeting & Exposition of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper), December 7-10, 2024, in San Diego, California (Press release, Cellenkos, NOV 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234647984]).

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The oral presentation will feature the safety and efficacy data from Cellenkos’ Phase 1b trial evaluating CK0804 in patients with myelofibrosis who have suboptimal responses to prior therapies, including ruxolitinib. CK0804 is an off-the-shelf, allogeneic, non-HLA matched, CXCR4-enriched Treg cell therapy and is administered in fixed dose of 100 million cells infused every 28 days for 6 doses. CK0804 has shown early promise in addressing this high unmet medical need.

Oral Presentation Details (View Source)

Session Name: 634. Myeloproliferative Syndromes: Clinical and Epidemiological: Advancing MPN Care: Innovative Therapies and Clinical Breakthroughs in Myelofibrosis
Date: Monday, December 9, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM (Presentation)
Location: Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, Harbor Ballroom DEFG
Publication Number: 999
Title: A Phase Ib, Open-Label Study of Add-on Therapy with CK0804 in Participants with Myelofibrosis and Suboptimal Response to Ruxolitinib
Submission ID: 211587
The study data to be presented demonstrates the safety and efficacy of CK0804 in patients with myelofibrosis who had previously failed standard treatments. Key findings from the trial include significant improvements in symptom burden, spleen volume reduction, blood transfusion dependence, and systemic inflammatory cytokine levels. Importantly, CK0804 was well-tolerated, with no significant drug-related adverse events observed, aside from one patient with a sulfa drug allergy who had an infusion reaction.

Study Highlights

Nine patients, with a median of two (range, 1-6) prior lines of treatment, were treated with CK0804.
Improvements in fatigue and overall symptom burden were reported by all patients, with four out of six evaluable patients showing spleen volume reduction (SVR).
Two patients who were transfusion-dependent showed a reduction in their monthly need for transfusions by the end of the treatment period.
Longitudinal data indicates sustained benefits, including improvements in hemoglobin levels and inflammatory markers.
Following the initial success of the Phase 1b trial, the Data Safety Monitoring Board has approved an expansion cohort to further explore the safety and efficacy of CK0804. This expansion includes an induction phase of four weekly doses, followed by five monthly doses, and active participant enrollment is ongoing (NCT05423691).

About Myelofibrosis
Myelofibrosis is a rare, chronic, and progressive blood cancer that causes scar tissue to form in the bone marrow, disrupting the production of normal blood cells. Patients with myelofibrosis often experience debilitating symptoms such as fatigue, spleen enlargement, and night sweats. Approximately 16,000 to 18,500 people in the U.S. are living with myelofibrosis, and those who fail to respond adequately to current treatments including ruxolitinib, face limited options and a poor prognosis. Inflammation is a key driver for disease pathogenesis and progression in myelofibrosis.

About CK0804
CK0804 is an investigational, allogeneic, off-the-shelf Treg cell therapy that leverages the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis to suppress inflammatory cytokines implicated in myelofibrosis pathogenesis. CXCR4 enriched Tregs home faster to bone marrow compared to unmanipulated Tregs. Derived from clinical-grade umbilical cord blood and manufactured using Cellenkos’ proprietary CRANE process, CK0804 does not require HLA matching, making it an ideal therapeutic option for patients in need of prompt intervention. The therapy is administered intravenously and can be infused in an outpatient setting.

On November 7, 2024 cTRL Therapeutics, a biotechnology company advancing next-generation cell therapies for solid tumors, reported that it will present new data at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2024, taking place November 6-10 in Houston, TX (Press release, CTRL Therapeutics, NOV 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234647983]). The company will showcase two poster presentations that underscore the therapeutic potential of circulating tumor-reactive lymphocytes (cTRLs), enabled by the company’s proprietary IsoQore cell isolation platform.

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"We are excited to present data that demonstrate the robust tumor reactivity and therapeutic potential of cTRLs in patients with limited treatment options," said Ruben Rodriguez, PhD, Head of Research at cTRL Therapeutics. "These findings highlight the potential of our IsoQore platform to unlock the therapeutic use of cTRLs, previously thought to be impossible, offering a new way forward for patients with solid tumors."

Poster Presentations:

Abstract 401: Anti-tumor activity of circulating tumor-reactive lymphocytes (cTRLs) isolated from checkpoint-refractory melanoma patients that failed TIL manufacturing.
This poster will present data on cTRLs isolated from melanoma patients who had failed conventional TIL manufacturing. The results demonstrate strong tumor reactivity in cTRLs, with higher frequency of tumor-reactive TCR repertoire compared to TILs, providing a more potent anti-tumor response. The data underscore the potential of cTRLs as a simpler and more effective alternative to traditional cell therapy approaches like TIL therapy.
Poster Presentation: Friday, Nov. 8

Abstract 400: Circulating tumor-reactive lymphocytes (cTRLs) isolated from colorectal cancer (CRC) patients are reactive against autologous tumors and show less exhaustion than tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs).
This presentation highlights the potential of cTRLs isolated from CRC patients to outperform TILs. The data show that cTRLs exhibit lower levels of exhaustion markers (PD-1, CD39) and higher expression of memory/activation markers (CD27, CD28) and improved functionality and tumor reactivity compared to paired TILs. These findings position cTRLs as a promising new polyclonal T-cell therapy, eliminating the need for surgical tumor resection and expanding patient eligibility.
Poster Presentation: Saturday, Nov. 9
"These data highlight the strong potential of cTRLs as a next-generation approach in cell therapy," said Derrell Porter, M.D., CEO of CTRL Therapeutics. "With a non-invasive blood draw instead of surgical resection, and superior cell fitness compared to traditional cell therapies, cTRLs could offer patients a more accessible, scalable, and effective treatment option. We look forward to sharing these findings with the scientific community at SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper)."

cTRL Therapeutics continues to advance its proprietary IsoQore platform, which isolates and expands high-quality cTRLs from peripheral blood, paving the way for a new era of cell therapies that address key limitations of current modalities.

On November 7, 2024 Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) and collaborators at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reported late-breaking results from a Phase 2 study evaluating NKTR-255 for the treatment of radiation induced lymphopenia after concurrent chemoradiation in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 39th Annual Meeting (Press release, Nektar Therapeutics, NOV 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234647982]).

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NKTR-255 is a novel polymer-conjugated IL-15 agonist, designed to activate, proliferate and expand natural killer (NK) and CD8+ T-cells, as well as to promote the survival and expansion of memory CD8+ T cells. NKTR-255 is currently being evaluated in combination with cellular therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Previous pre-clinical and clinical studies have shown that NKTR-255 can proliferate a range of immune cells and augment lymphocyte trafficking.1,2,3

The results from the preplanned interim analysis from the REStoring lymphoCytes Using NKTR-255 after chemoradiothErapy in solid tumors (RESCUE) trial suggest that NKTR-255 effectively reversed radiation induced lymphopenia in patients with locally advanced NSCLC receiving consolidation therapy with durvalumab. Interim pharmacodynamic data demonstrated statistically significant superiority of the eight-week absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) with NKTR-255 post chemoradiation and in combination with durvalumab versus non-contemporaneous control groups who received either chemoradiation alone or chemoradiation in combination with durvalumab.

"Radiation induced lymphopenia is common after chemoradiation therapy and is associated with worse overall survival in multiple solid tumors including lung cancer." said Steven H. Lin, MD, PhD, Professor of Radiation Oncology at MD Anderson. "These interim results showing that NKTR-255 can rapidly restore absolute lymphocyte counts post chemoradiation suggest that NKTR-255 has the potential to confer prognostic benefits and enhanced survival in patients with locally advanced NSCLC."

"These results, combined with the body of evidence previously reported with NKTR-255 in combination with cell therapy, highlight NKTR-255’s potential to enhance clinical benefit in both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors" said Mary Tagliaferri, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Nektar.

The Phase 2 single-arm study conducted by MD Anderson is evaluating NKTR-255 (3µg/kg IV) following concurrent chemoradiation and in combination with consolidation therapy with durvalumab. NKTR-255 3µg/kg is administered intravenously every 4 weeks in combination with durvalumab (1500mg IV) for up to 1 year (NCT05632809). The primary objectives of the study are safety and ALC normalization at Week 8 after initiation of NKTR-255 and durvalumab post chemoradiation. Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival and overall survival. The trial is currently ongoing at MD Anderson.

Key details and takeaways from the presentation are as follows:

Late-breaking Abstract (LBA) 1489: " REStoring lymphoCytes Using NKTR-255 after chemoradiothErapy in solid tumors (RESCUE): Preplanned Interim Safety and Efficacy Analysis", Lin, S., et al.

The combination of NKTR-255 and durvalumab post chemoradiation was shown to be safe and tolerable with an AE profile consistent with previously reported clinical trials.
Interim pharmacodynamic data demonstrated statistically significant superiority of the eight-week absolute lymphocyte count with NKTR-255 post chemoradiation and in combination with durvalumab versus non-contemporaneous control groups who received either chemoradiation alone or chemoradiation in combination with durvalumab. Additional pharmacodynamic findings following NKTR-255 administration show increased markers of NK cell proliferation and activation.
About NKTR-255

NKTR-255 is a biologic that targets the IL-15 pathway in order to activate the body’s innate and adaptive immunity. Through optimal engagement of the IL-15 receptor complex, NKTR-255 is designed to enhance functional NK cell populations and formation of long-term immunological memory to improve the anti-tumor immune response.

In addition to studies in combination with CAR T cell therapies, NKTR-255 is being studied in a Phase 1 clinical trial sponsored by AbelZeta which is evaluating C-TIL051, a tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy, in anti-PD1 resistant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NCT05676749). The JAVELIN Bladder Medley study (NCT05327530), sponsored by Merck KGaA, is also ongoing to evaluate NKTR-255 in combination with avelumab as a maintenance treatment in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (NCT05327530).