News
Former TI Pharma project for a novel cancer immunotherapy moves into the clinic
The company Aduro Biotech announces the initiation of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of BION-1301, an anti-APRIL antibody, for the treatment of multiple myeloma
Just before Christmas, Aduro Biotech announced that the first patient in its Phase 1/2 dose escalation and dose expansion clinical trial has been dosed at Virginia Cancer Specialists in Fairfax, USA. The study is designed to evaluate the safety and activity of BION-1301, a humanized anti-APRIL (A PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand) antibody, for adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
Top Institute (TI) Pharma, now the not-for-profit Lygature*, laid the groundwork for this development by funding the ‘TNF ligands in cancer’ project, that came to an end in 2012. The biotech start-up spawned by the project was BioNovion, now known as Aduro Biotech Europe following its acquisition by US-based Aduro Biotech in 2015.
The goal of the ‘TNF ligands in cancer’ project was to develop novel cancer therapeutics that target the TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) receptors on cancer cells to stimulate the patient’s immune system to subsequently destroy the cancer. APRIL was identified as a ligand of particular interest, as it acts as a growth factor for tumors, and appears to have a role in the survival of tumor cells, especially when they are hidden in the bone marrow.
With the help of an additional grant from TI Pharma of EUR 1.7 million and private venture capital of EUR 2.2 million, BioNovion was founded to advance three promising antibody programs identified in the TI Pharma project, one of which was a program to investigate the practicality of using an antibody that targets APRIL in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
From fundamental research results to first-in-human clinical studies in little over five years is quite an achievement, even more so in the cancer field. However, it’s by no means the only example of potentially game-changing translational research that came out of a public-private partnership research agenda (take a look at other companies created based on CTMM and TI Pharma portfolio results, such as NTRC or Mirabilis Therapeutics). Lygature is proud to contribute its experience and expertise in many ways, across a broad range of public-private partnerships, to develop new medical solutions for patients.
Click here for the press release by Aduro Biotech.
*Lygature was created from CTMM and TI Pharma to help preserve the expertise built up over many years, and to support new initiatives, including any arising from the Dutch government. Read more