VGA-039

HONG KONG, Dec. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Akeso published two phase Ib clinical results of its innovative CD47 monoclonal antibody ligufalimab (AK117) in combination with azacitidine in patients with newly diagnosed higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (HR-MDS) and treatment-naïve acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting. HR-MDS Anemia is a significant symptom of MDS, and effectively managing anemia and minimizing blood transfusion are crucial aspects of disease control. As of August 25, 2023, a total of 86 patients were evaluable for safety. Anemia (a primary adverse event associated with CD47 blocking antibodies) occurred in only 29.1% of the patients. Of 13 evaluable patients who initially required red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, 61.5% became independent of RBC transfusion. Among 27 evaluable patients, the complete remission (CR) rate was 48.1% and the overall response rate (ORR) was 85.2%. When patients received≥3 cycles of treatment, the CR rate reached 52%; when patients received≥6 cycles of treatment, the CR rate reached 68.4%. AK117 combination therapy provides patients with rapid and significant remission. The median time to response (mTTR) was 0.97 months and the median time to CR (mTTCR) was 2.92 months. AK117 is an IgG4 monoclonal antibody targeting CD47 without inducing hemagglutination effects. Therefore, AK117 does not require a lower 'priming dose' to prevent anemia. AK117 has emerged as a potential best-in-class therapy for MDS. In this study, AK117 in combination with AZA was well tolerated with low incidence of anemia and demonstrated promising efficacy in patients with newly diagnosed HR-MDS. AK117 is expected to be a superior treatment option for MDS patients worldwide. Akeso has received FDA clearance for the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for AK117 in combination with azacitidine for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed higher-risk MDS. This randomized, double-blind, global multi-center Phase II study is underway. Notably, Akeso is consistently advancing the development of AK117 as a therapeutic agent in combination with various agents such as PD-1/CTLA-4 and PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibodies, for the treatment of multiple hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. AML As of August 25, 2023, among 20 evaluable patients, the composite complete remission(CCR) rate was 55%, with 50.0% of patients achieving CR. The combination of AK117 and AZA exhibited a manageable safety profile with a low incidence of anemia, and demonstrated promising efficacy as a first-line treatment in AML patients who were unable to undergo intensive chemotherapy. Akeso is planning to conduct a randomized, open-label, phase II study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AK117 in combination with venetoclax and AZA in patients with AML unfit for first-line intensive chemotherapy. About Ligufalimab (AK117) AK117, independently developed by Akeso, is a next-generation humanized lgG4 anti-CD47 antibody without hemagglutination effect. AK117 can bind to CD47 expressed on tumor cells and block the interaction between CD47 and SIRPα, in order to enhance the phagocytic activity of phagocytes on tumor cells, thereby inhibiting the growth of tumors. Currently, several phase II clinical trials are underway to investigate the potential of AK117 in combination with azacitidine for hematological tumors, as well as AK117 alone or in combination with PD-1/CTLA-4 and PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibodies for various solid tumors. Preliminary studies have shown promising efficacy and safety profiles of AK117, with no observed dose-limiting toxicity events. Additionally, an international multicenter clinical study evaluating AK117 for the treatment of MDS has been initiated. About Akeso, Inc. Akeso (HKEX: 09926) is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing, manufacturing, and commercializing innovative medicines that address significant medical needs globally. Since our inception, we have established a distinctive and integrated R&D innovation system with the comprehensive end-to-end drug development platform (ACE Platform) and bi-specific antibody drug development technology (Tetrabody) as the fundamental components, a GMP-compliant manufacturing system and a commercialization system with an advanced operation mode. Akeso is actively developing a diverse pipeline of over 30 innovative assets in areas such as cancer, autoimmune disease, inflammation, metabolic disease, and other therapeutic fields. Among these, 19 assets have entered the clinical stage, with 3 innovative drugs already approved, 13 Phase III studies ongoing. Utilizing its proprietary Tetrabody technology, Akeso has successfully developed the first-in-class PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody drug for the market. Additionally, the company has five other innovative bispecific antibody drugs in the clinical stage, including ivonescimab (PD-1/VEGF), PD-1/LAG-3, TIGIT/TGF-Beta, PD-1/CD73, and claudin18.2/CD47 bispecific antibodies. In June 2022, cadonilimab was approved by the NMPA and became the first commercialized bispecific IO drug globally. Another Akeso internally discovered and developed oncology product, penpulimab (a PD-1 antibody), was granted marketing approval in China in August 2021. In December 2022, Akeso entered into a collaboration and license agreement for up to US$5 billion with Summit Therapeutics to accelerate global development and commercialization of ivonescimab. In August, the NDA submission of ivonescimab was accepted by China's NMPA with priority review. Akeso is listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. For more information, please visit and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @AkesoInc SOURCE Akeso, Inc.

The research of Star Therapeutics has spawned two startup subsidiaries, each with a clinical-stage program. Now the startup creator has $90 million to continue clinical development and to form new biotech companies in hematology and immunology. The Series C financing announced Tuesday was led by Sofinnova Investments. The business model of South San Francisco-based Star is unconventional but not unprecedented. Yes, the company conducts research with the aim of developing novel drugs for unmet medical needs. But rather than keeping all of its research under the same roof, Star forms startup subsidiaries around certain drugs. When Star emerged from stealth last year, CEO Adam Rosenthal told MedCity News that Star’s structure enables these new companies to focus on an asset as well as the flexibility to seek separate financing. BridgeBio Pharma, Cullinan Oncology, and Roivant Sciences are among the companies that operate similar business models. Star’s first biotech startup was Electra Therapeutics, a company developing antibodies that target signal regulatory proteins, or SIRPs, on the surface of immune cells. Electra’s most advanced program, ELA026, is a potential treatment for the rare inflammatory disorder secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The antibody has reached early clinical development. Electra also has preclinical research with an immuno-oncology drug candidate addressing an undisclosed target. Electra has since gone on to raise an $84 million Series B round of financing. Late last year, Star unveiled its second startup, Vega Therapeutics. Vega is developing treatments for blood disorders. Its initial focus is von Willebrand disease, an inherited bleeding disorder caused by the deficiency or dysfunction of the condition’s namesake clotting protein. Vega drug candidate VGA039 is intended to restore proper blood clotting. The antibody has reached Phase 1a/1b testing. The targets of Star’s research remain undisclosed but the company said the new biotech companies it forms will focus on developing novel antibody therapies for multiple diseases in hematology and immunology. The latest financing brings Star’s funding total to more than $190 million. The Series C round included new investors Qatar Investment Authority, Catalio Capital Management, Agent Capital, Soleus Capital, and NYBC Ventures. Also participating are earlier investors Westlake Village BioPartners, OrbiMed, Redmile Group, RA Capital Management, New Leaf Venture Partners, Cormorant Asset Management, and Cowen Healthcare Investments. “Our outstanding syndicate of seasoned life sciences investors is ideally suited to support our growth and mission to develop life-changing therapies for as many patients as possible, building on our success to date with novel therapeutic approaches in hematology and immunology,” Rosenthal said in a prepared statement. “To date, we have unveiled two biotech companies that have rapidly advanced antibodies from idea stage to the clinic, and we aim to replicate this success with additional biotech companies in the Star portfolio.”