23andMe Holding Co. announced the first participant has been dosed in a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating 23ME-01473 ('1473) in advanced solid tumors. The target for the new investigational antibody, ULBP6, was discovered through 23andMe's proprietary research platform, the world's largest recontactable database of de-identified human genetic and phenotypic information.

This is the third drug target genetically validated by the 23andMe research platform to enter the clinic in under 4 years. About '1473 '1473 targets ULBP6 to restore anti-tumor immunity through NK and T cells. ULBPs are stress-induced ligands found on the surface of cancer cells that bind to their receptor, NKG2D, on NK and T cells.

Cancers escape immune cell recognition by shedding ULBP ligands from their cell surface, which act as immunosuppressive molecular decoys. Further, '1473 is Fc-effector enhanced, which provides an additional mechanism for NK cells to induce cell death of ULBP6-expressing cancer cells. ULBP6 was identified as a potential cancer drug target using the 23andMe immuno-oncology (I/O) genetic signature, an approach developed by 23andMe to identify evidence for genetic variants that increase immune function while decreasing cancer risk.

Using genetic data, 23andMe can identify immune-related genes that are expected to have an impact on cancer biology. Specifically, germline genetics can reveal which of the immune-related genes harvest genetic variants that also alter an individual's predisposition for developing cancer. The first-in-human, multi-center, open-label clinical trial will determine the safety and tolerability of '1473 in people with locally advanced or metastatic solid malignancies that have progressed after standard therapy.

This study will also evaluate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of '1473 to identify the optimal dose and schedule for further clinical studies.