F-star Expedites Its Transition to a Wholly-Owned Portfolio Strategy
Under the terms of the new agreement, F-star retains exclusive rights to develop and commercialise FS118, a clinical-stage tetravalent bispecific antibody.
F-star, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company delivering
tetravalent bispecific antibodies for a paradigm-shift in cancer
therapy, today announced the reconfiguration of its immuno-oncology
collaboration, established in 2017, with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
as it executes on its transition to a wholly-owned portfolio and builds
scale and value as a world-class biopharmaceutical company.
Under the terms of the new agreement, F-star retains exclusive rights to
develop and commercialise FS118, a clinical-stage tetravalent bispecific
antibody. At the same time, Merck has exercised its option for one
discovery stage programme and retains the right to option a second
discovery programme from the 2017 original
agreement. No financial terms of the agreement are being disclosed.
Eliot Forster, CEO of F-star, said: “This new agreement
reflects our pivot to building a wholly-owned pipeline, that allows for
rapid progress into the clinic and secures greater long-term value from
our products. With full rights to FS118, we have an opportunity to
accelerate the development of this first-in-class medicine for a group
of targeted cancer patients. We are also pleased to continue our
long-term collaboration with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany by advancing
assets from F-star’s Modular Antibody TechnologyTM
into their pipeline.”
FS118 is a potential first-in-class tetravalent bispecific antibody for
the treatment of cancer, developed to overcome tumour evasion mechanisms
promoted by two molecules (LAG-3: Lymphocyte-Activation Gene 3 and
PD-L1: Programmed Death-Ligand 1) with the potential to restore the
natural ability of the immune system to fight cancer(1).
Initiated in April 2018 under F-star’s sponsorship, the Phase I trial (NCT03440437)
continues as originally planned and is expected to read out during 2020.
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About F-star
F-star is a leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company delivering
tetravalent bispecific antibodies for a paradigm-shift in cancer
therapy. By developing medicines that seek to block tumour immune
evasion, the Company’s goal is to offer patients greater and more
durable benefits than current immuno-oncology treatments. Through its
proprietary tetravalent, bispecific antibody (mAb²™) format, F-star is
generating first- and best-in-class drug candidates with monoclonal
antibody-like manufacturability. Building on the combined expertise of
its world-class management team and scientific leadership, F-star is
poised to deliver the next breakthrough immunotherapies for cancer
patients.
Find out more at www.f-star.com.
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About FS118
Currently in a Phase I trial at four clinical sites in the United
States, FS118 is a potentially first-in-class medicine for the treatment
of resistant and refractory cancer. This tetravalent, bispecific
antibody is developed to overcome tumour evasion mechanisms promoted by
two highly immuno-suppressive molecules: LAG-3 (Lymphocyte-Activation
Gene 3) and PD-L1 (Programmed Death-Ligand 1). By simultaneously
blocking both inhibitory pathways, FS118 has preclinically demonstrated
a potent anti-tumour growth activity(1) as well as a highly
differentiated mechanism of action(2) when compared to
checkpoint monotherapies alone or in combinations.
In April 2018, a Phase 1 clinical study started in patients who have
progressed on or after a prior PD-1/PD-L1 containing therapy.
Information about the trial is available on clinicaltrials.gov NCT03440437.
FS118 is manufactured at 2000L scale using standard mAb manufacturing
processes.
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