iBio (NYSEA:IBIO) reported positive preclinical in vivo data for three immuno-oncology candidates – an anti-EGFRvIII, CCR8 and a bispecific TROP-2 x CD3 – advancing the three programs to clinical candidate selection stage.
“The swift and concurrent achievement of in vivo proof-of-concept for three of our preclinical programs showcases the power of our AI-enabled technology and the relentless dedication and focus of our drug discovery team,” Dillon Phan, Ph.D., iBio’s VP and head of early R&D, said in a statement.
The development of bispecific antibodies, such as TROP-2 x CD3, is particularly challenging, so “we are especially pleased with the recent addition of the T-cell engager platform, EngageTx, to our tech stack, which has enabled the discovery and advancement of this candidate so quickly,” he added.
Dr. Phan said the company is are excited about the potential to further develop and initiate IND-enabling studies for all three molecules to support the continued advancement of iBio’s therapeutic preclinical pipeline.
In the anti-EGFRvIII program, the antibody was specially engineered to enhance its ability to attack cancer cells and has proven effective in a mouse model for head and neck cancer. In preclinical studies, iBio’s anti-EGFRvIII antibody demonstrated a 43% reduction in tumor growth, compared with untreated animals.
iBio developed the antibody using its patented AI epitope steering technology, which allows iBio to target a specific variant of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) found in tumors without affecting the normal version of the receptor present in healthy tissue. By focusing solely on the tumor-specific variant, iBio aims to reduce potential side effects.
In addition to the anti-EGFR program, iBio’s CCR8 antibody has proven effective in a mouse model for colon cancer. Preclinical studies show the anti-CCR8 molecule inhibited tumor growth and achieved a 22% reduction in tumor size, compared with its pre-treatment dimensions.
Using its patented AI epitope steering platform, iBio specifically engineered the anti-CCR8 molecule to enhance its ability to attack cancer cells without affecting its close relative, CCR4, even though their binding regions are highly similar. “This selective targeting demonstrates the power of iBio’s epitope steering platform and is believed to minimize potential side effects.”
In a recent study involving a humanized mouse model of squamous cell carcinoma, iBio’s TROP-2 x CD3 bi-specific antibody demonstrated a significant 36% reduction in tumor size within 14 days after tumor implantation, and after only a single dose.
iBio’s TROP-2 x CD3 was engineered using EngageTx T-cell engager antibody platform, which represents a cutting-edge approach to developing next-generation bispecific antibodies for immuno-oncology applications.
TROP-2 x CD3 is a bispecific antibody targeting an overexpressed cell surface protein in multiple solid tumors, including breast, lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. iBio is currently exploring whether the molecule also shows efficacy in other solid tumors.
