F-Star Biotechnology Ltd.. (3/25/19). "Press Release: F-star Presents New Data on its Tetravalent Bispecific Antibodies at the AACR 2019 Annual Meeting". Cambridge.

	Region	Atlanta, GA
	Country	United States (USA)
	Organisation	F-Star Biotechnology Ltd. (F-Star Therapeutics)
	Group	Sino Biopharm (Group)
	Product	FS120 (F-Star)
	Product 2	AACR Annual Meeting 2019 Atlanta
	Person	Brewis, Neil (F-Star 201611 CSO)
	Person 2	Forster, Eliot (F-Star 201810– CEO before Immunocore + Creabilis + Solace Pharmaceuticals + Pfizer + GSK)

Three poster presentations highlighting the synergistic benefits of the tetravalent bispecific (mAb2™) format compared to monospecific agents either alone or in combination

F-star, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of novel tetravalent bispecific antibodies that target the immune system to fight cancer, today announces that new preclinical data on three immuno-oncology programmes will be presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Atlanta, US, held from 29 March – 03 April 2019.

Neil Brewis, CSO of F-star said “We are excited about this new preclinical data, as it demonstrates the full potential of our tetravalent molecules to leverage a superior anti-tumour response compared to other checkpoint monotherapies, alone or in combination. In addition, our drugs harness a potentially safer mode of action, independent of FcgammaR-binding, which has been reported to drive systemic cytotoxicity.”

FS120 and FS222 are two proprietary F-star assets targeting members of the Tumour Necrosis Factor Receptor Super Family (TNFRSF). FS120 is a first-in-class dual agonist mAb² simultaneously targeting OX40 (CD134, TNFRSF4) and CD137 (4-1BB) while FS222 is an agonist/antagonist mAb² against CD137/PD-L1 (Programmed Death-Ligand 1). Both are on track for IND filings this year.

The preclinical presentations illustrate the synergistic benefit of F-star’s tetravalent mAb² and how both FS120 and FS222 individually outperform combinations of single agents in multiple assays. Furthermore, and in contrast to broader CD3-mediated immune stimulation, F-star programmes promote a more controlled activation of immune effectors. The mAb² also benefit from a safer FcgammaR-independent profile, especially regarding dose-limiting hepatotoxicity, as supported by data to be presented on FS222.

Finally, F-star will also share preclinical data on a third programme, FS118, a potentially first-in-class bispecific antagonist of LAG-3 (Lymphocyte-Activation Gene 3) and PD-L1. The poster describes FS118’s potential to increase response rates by overcoming the LAG-3-mediated tumour evasion mechanism that often takes place following single agent checkpoint blockade. FS118 is currently investigated in a Phase 1 study in patients who have progressed on or after prior PD-1/PD-L1 containing therapy.

Eliot Forster, CEO of F-star said “We are creating a paradigm shift in the future of cancer treatment and believe our drugs will offer meaningful benefits to patients who are currently poorly responding or non-eligible to other immuno-oncology therapies. In addition, the mAb² format is poised to become a game changer in the industrial landscape, as it maintains the well-established and favourable manufacturing properties of IgG antibodies.”

FS118 is under an exclusive option to Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

Details of the posters are below:

FS120 communication: Dual agonist bispecific antibody targeting OX40 and CD137 mediates antitumour immunity and synergises with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade to improve survival in a syngeneic mouse model

Session Category: Immunology Session Title: Therapeutic Antibodies 3 Session Date and Time: 01 Apr from 13:00 - 17:00 Location: Georgia World Congress Center, Exhibit Hall B, Poster Section 25 Poster Board Number: 22 Abstract Number: 2398

FS222 communication: FS222 mAb2, a bispecific conditional agonist antibody targeting CD137 and PD-L1, induces potent lymphocyte activation and has a favourable safety profile

Session Category: Immunology Session Title: Therapeutic Antibodies 2 Session Date and Time: 01 Apr from 08:00 - 12:00 Location: Georgia World Congress Center, Exhibit Hall B, Poster Section 25 Poster Board Number: 09 Abstract Number: 1540

FS118 communication: LAG-3/PD-L1 mAb2 can overcome PD-L1-mediated compensatory upregulation of LAG-3 induced by single-agent checkpoint blockade

Session Category: Immunology Session Title: Therapeutic Antibodies 3 Session Date and Time: 01 Apr from 13:00 - 17:00 Location: Georgia World Congress Center, Exhibit Hall B, Poster Section 25 Poster Board Number: 23 Abstract Number: 2399

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For further information, please contact:

At F-star
Pierre Peotta
Communications Manager
+44 (0)1223 948 094
+44 (0)7392 080 279
pierre.peotta@f-star.com

For media enquiries
Instinctif Partners
Sue Charles/Ashley Tapp
+44 (0)20 7866 7923
F-star@instinctif.com

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, our goal is to offer patients greater and more durable benefits than current immunooncology treatments. Through its proprietary tetravalent, bispecific antibody (mAb²™) format, F-star is generating first- and best-in-class drug candidates with broad therapeutic index and favourable monoclonal antibody 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. Connect with us via LinkedIn and Twitter

Record changed: 2023-06-05