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F-star Presents New Data on its Tetravalent Bispecific Antibodies at the AACR 2019 Annual Meeting

March 25, 2019 Off By BusinessWire

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

CAMBRIDGE, England–(BUSINESS WIRE)–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
FcγR-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 FcγR-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 anti-tumour 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

– ENDS –

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 immuno-oncology 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.
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