Next-IO™ HER2 x HER3 Therapeutic Bispecific Antibody Program

About This Program

This program aims to develop HER2 x HER3 therapeutic bispecific antibody for breast cancer immunotherapy.

Rationale for our program:

• HER2 is overexpressed in 20-25% of breast cancer patients and most of them benefit from anti-HER2 targeted therapy. However, treatment resistance remains unresolved.
• HER2 dimerizes with HER3 to activate PI3K / AKT signaling and promote tumor growth and survival.
• The therapeutic potential of HER3 has received attention in recent years as it is a key heterodimeric partner for other EGFR family members and has the potential to modulate EGFR/HER2 mediated resistance.
• Resistance to HER2 targeted therapy can occur through the upregulation of HER3 or its ligand HRG, suggesting a rationale to inhibit HRG-induced HER2: HER3 signaling.

HER2 x HER3

HER2 and HER3 both belong to the human epidermal growth receptor (EGFR/HER) family and is composed of four members (EGFR / ERBB1 / HER1, ERBB2 / HER2 / Neu, ERBB3 / HER3 and ERBB4 / HER4). They are widely expressed in numerous cells, such as epithelial cells, nerve cells, tumor cells, and mesenchymal cells. Multiple studies have shown that HER2/HER3-mediated signaling regulates cellular processes such as cell division, cell proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, and tumor progression.

Fig.1 HER2 / HER3 dimer-mediated downstream signaling. (De, 2010)

Supporting Data

The following data support the rationale for the development of HER2 x HER3 BiAbs with an improved therapeutic index for the treatment of breast cancer.

• Administration of PB4188 (HER2/HER3 Biab) significantly inhibited HRG-driven tumor growth in vivo in a dose-dependent manner.

(Geuijen, 2018)

Breast Cancer

• Amplification or overexpression of HER2 occurs in approximately 16-30% of breast cancer cases. Therefore, with the high prevalence of breast cancer in recent years, the need for HER2: HER3 signaling-targeted therapy during the prediction period will increase.
• The global cancer immunotherapy market is worth $58.1 billion in 2018 and breast cancer accounts for about 40% of the market share.
• The market for breast cancer treatments is worth more than $16,228.2 million in 2018 and is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 9.5% from 2019 to 2025. Among them, the targeted drug treatment market occupied the largest market share in 2018, with a value of approximately 11,559.6 million US dollars.

Ongoing Clinical Trials

• Currently, only One anti-HER2 x HER3 BiAb (MCLA-128) developed by Merus is being investigated in phase II.
• We believe that this dual targeting strategy will provide insights into the tumor immunotherapy, especially in the treatment of BC. In an effort to optimally leverage HER2 x HER3-mediated immune response, our next-IO™ HER2 x HER3 targeted antibody program attempts to explore the optimal combination strategy by involving other immunomodulatory agents.

Program Plan

Creative Biolabs has extensive knowledge of end-to-end program development. For each program, we are committed to delivering the final complete program to our clients within 1.5 years before entering the IND stage.

Cooperation

Creative Biolabs is looking for potential partners (include but not limit to major pharma or biotech firms) to develop HER2 x HER3 therapeutic bispecific antibody program together. Our scientists are dedicated to bringing years of valuable experience to our partner and achieve a meaningful partnership together. For any partners interested in our Next-IO™ programs, Creative Biolabs welcomes collaboration.

Here are two ways for your choice, and please contact us for more details.

1) Collaborate with us and co-develop the programs from the discovery phase to IND enabling. Costs will be shared.
2) Become a licensed candidate for our programs.

With our quality control protocol and knowledge of global regulatory requirements, we can help our partners further their programs with more chances to succeed. Look forward to cooperating with you in the near future.

References

• Norihisa S.; et al. Prostate stem cell antigen: a Jekyll and Hyde molecule? Clinical Cancer Research. 2010, 16(14): 3533-3538.
• Feldmann A.; et al. Novel Humanized and Highly Efficient Bispecific Antibodies Mediate Killing of Prostate Stem Cell Antigen-Expressing Tumor Cells by CD8+ and CD4+ T Cells. The Journal of Immunology. 2012, 189(6): 3249-3259.
• De, P.; Leyland-Jones, B. Whither HER2-related therapeutics?. Journal of Clinical Oncology: Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 2010, 28(7): 1091-1096.
• Geuijen, C.A.W.; et al. Unbiased combinatorial screening identifies a bispecific IgG1 that potently inhibits HER3 signaling via HER2-guided ligand blockade. Cancer Cell. 2018, 33(5): 922-936. e10.

For Research Use Only | Not For Clinical Use