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

• 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

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

– 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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Contacts

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