SHANGHAI and HONG KONG, June 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Antengene Corporation Limited ("Antengene", SEHK: 6996.HK), a leading innovative biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing global first-in-class and/or best-in-class therapeutics in hematology and oncology, would like to provide an update on the state of its business operations and other recent developments.
Significant progress has been made with respect to our pipeline and business operations since the company's IPO on November 20, 2020. During this period, Antengene continued to execute its dual-engine growth strategy leveraging both external partnerships and in-house discovery and have built a pipeline of thirteen assets, five with APAC rights and eight with global rights. Antengene has advanced the clinical trials of our six in-licensed assets in APAC and have continued to expand its pipeline through internal discovery efforts with the announcement of two additional novel targets into our pipeline. In addition, Antengene is reaching an inflection point in its transition from a clinical stage to a commercial stage company, and has further built out its commercial infrastructure in multiple APAC markets in preparation for the commercial launch of selinexor towards the end of 2021.
Corporate Updates
An Update on Pipeline Candidates
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Selinexor
Selinexor is a first-in-class, only-in-class orally available XPO1 inhibitor being developed for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
ATG-016 (Eltanexor)
Eltanexor is a next-generation XPO1 inhibitor being developed for the treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or solid tumors.
ATG-008 (Onatasertib)
Onatasertib is a next-generation dual mTORC1/2 inhibitor being developed for the treatment of advanced solid tumors.
ATG-019 (PAK4 / NAMPT inhibitor)
ATG-019 is an orally bioavailable dual PAK4/NAMPT inhibitor with first-in-class potential in the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and advanced solid tumors.
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ATG-017 (ERK 1/2 inhibitor)
ATG-017 is a potent and selective small molecule extracellular signal–regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor in clinical development for advanced solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.
ATG-101 (PD-L1/4-1BB bi-specific antibody)
ATG-101 is a novel PD-L1/4-1BB bi-specific antibody being developed for the treatment of cancer. ATG-101 can activate anti-tumor immune effectors by simultaneously blocking PD-L1/PD-1 binding and inducing 4-1BB stimulation. In the presence of PD-L1 over-expressed cancer cells, ATG-101 showed a significant and PD-L1 crosslinking-dependent 4-1BB agonist activity, thus enhancing therapeutic efficacy, and mitigating hepatoxicity simultaneously.
ATG-037 (Small molecule inhibitor of CD73)
ATG-037 is a highly potent, selective, orally-bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of CD73 that has best-in-class potential as either a monotherapy or in combination against a range of tumor types. It overcomes the 'hook-effect' of clinical anti-CD73 antibodies and could completely block CD73 activity in vitro.
ATG-018 (ATR inhibitor)
ATG-018 is a small molecule inhibitor targeting ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATR) kinase being developed for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumors.
ATG-022 (ADC Targeting Claudin 18.2)
ATG-012 (KRAS inhibitor)
New Targets
ATG-031 is a potential first-in-class anti-CD24 monoclonal antibody being developed for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. ATG-031 potently stimulates macrophage-mediated phagocytosis and induces the destruction of cancer cells by blocking the 'Don't eat me' signals characterizing the growth of many cancers. In pre-clinical research, ATG-031 demonstrated single agent anti-tumor activity in animal models and showed synergy with chemotherapies, checkpoint inhibitors, and other therapeutic agents. ATG-031 is at IND enabling stage.
ATG-027 is a potential first-in-class bispecific antibody being developed for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. ATG-027 blocks the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction and the B7H3 interaction with its ligand to stimulate the activation of immune cells and mediates anti-tumor effect. ATG-027 also leads to the elimination of B7H3-positive tumor cells through ADCC/CDC effect. ATG-027 showed potent in vivo anti-tumor activity in mouse tumor models. ATG-027 is at preclinical research stage.
"I am excited to announce Antengene's discovery of two proprietary assets targeting two novel mechanistic pathways, namely ATG-031, a first-in-class CD24 antibody, and ATG-027, a first-in-class B7H3/PD-L1 bispecific antibody. These discoveries are yet another testament to our dual-engine drug development strategy. This year, we aim to advance ATG-101 into clinical development, as our internal development efforts continue to yield results. Moreover, we have recently obtained the global rights to ATG-037, an oral small molecule inhibitor of CD73 with best-in-class potential, and we are poised to advance the drug candidate into global clinical development in the near future," said Dr. Jay Mei, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Antengene.
"While in commercialization, we have built a world-class commercial organization in the APAC region, led by industry veterans with strong track record in successfully launching innovative oncology therapies in APAC markets, and deep expertise in the areas of multiple myeloma and lymphoma."
"In just half of a year, we further strengthened our pipeline through the addition of three assets that have enormous combinatory potential with other agents, broadening the therapeutic potential of our pipeline. Like many patients around the world, we have high expectations for these first-in-class therapies in the APAC region and we are committed to advancing the global development of these assets, and fulfilling our mission of 'Treating Patients Beyond Borders'."
About Antengene
Antengene Corporation Limited ("Antengene", SEHK: 6996.HK) is a leading clinical-stage R&D driven biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative medicines for oncology and other life-threatening diseases. Antengene aims to provide the most advanced anti-cancer drugs to patients in the Asia Pacific Region and around the world. Since its establishment in 2017, Antengene has built a broad and expanding pipeline of clinical and pre-clinical stage assets through partnerships as well as in-house drug discovery, and obtained 15 investigational new drug (IND) approvals and submitted 5 new drug applications (NDA) in multiple markets in Asia Pacific. Antengene's vision is to "Treat Patients Beyond Borders". Antengene is focused on and committed to addressing significant unmet medical needs by discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class/best-in-class therapeutics.
Forward-looking statements
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