VISTA Blocking KVA12123 Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) Engineered to Provide Strong Single Agent Anti-Tumor Activity While Minimizing Cytokine Related Adverse Events
KVA12123 recognizes a unique VISTA epitope and binds at neutral and acidic pH
Data Supports KVA12123’s Potential as a Therapy Against Poorly Immunogenic Tumors
“This scientific article summarizes the extensive characterization and selection of our clinical candidate KVA12123 that targets VISTA, a strong driver of immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment,” said Thierry Guillaudeux, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of
Key results from the publication include:
- High affinity binding to VISTA through a unique epitope that is distinct from other clinical-stage anti-VISTA mAbs
- High specificity against VISTA with no cross-reactivity against other members of the B7 family
- Blockade of VISTA binding to all four of its respective ligands
- Ability to reverse T cell suppression by myeloid-derived suppressor cells, one of the main drivers of immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment
- Ability to induce T cell and NK-mediated monocyte activation
- Strong single-agent antitumor activity in several syngeneic tumor models and enhanced efficacy in combination with anti-PD-1
- On-target induction of cytokines/chemokines associated with VISTA blockade
- Well tolerated in preclinical toxicology studies without antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity or induction of CRS-related cytokines
“We are excited to share the discovery, characterization and preclinical development of KVA12123 in Frontiers in Immunology, a well-known journal in the field,” said
KVA12123 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 VISTA-101 open-label clinical trial as a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors (NCT05708950). Additional clinical efficacy data in the monotherapy arm and initial combination data with pembrolizumab are anticipated in Q2 2024.
About
VISTA (V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation) is a negative immune checkpoint that suppresses T cell function in a variety of solid tumors. High VISTA expression in tumor correlates with poor survival in cancer patients and has been associated with a lack of response to other immune checkpoint inhibitors. Blocking VISTA induces an efficient polyfunctional immune response to address immunosuppression and drives anti-tumor responses.
KVA12123 is a VISTA blocking immunotherapy in development as a twice weekly monoclonal antibody infusion drug being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for patients with advanced solid tumors. Competitive therapies targeting VISTA have demonstrated either poor monotherapy anti-tumor activity in preclinical models or induction of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in human clinical trials. Through the combination of unique epitope binding and an optimized IgG1 Fc region, KVA12123 demonstrates strong monotherapy tumor growth inhibition in preclinical models without evidence of CRS in clinical trial participants. KVA12123 has been shown to de-risk the VISTA target and provides a novel approach to address immune suppression in the TME with a mechanism of action that is differentiated and complementary with T cell focused therapies. KVA12123 may be an effective immunotherapy for many types of cancer including non-small cell lung (NSCLC), colorectal, renal cell carcinoma, head and neck, and ovarian cancer.
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The use of words such as, but not limited to, “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “future,” “potential,” “continue,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “will,” “should,” “seek,” “anticipate,” or “could” and other similar words or expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on Kineta’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of Kineta’s business, future plans and strategies, clinical results and other future conditions. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. No representations or warranties (expressed or implied) are made about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to: the adequacy of Kineta’s capital to support its future operations (including its ability to complete the second tranche of the previously disclosed contemplated private placement) and its ability to successfully initiate and complete clinical trials; the difficulty in predicting the time and cost of development of Kineta’s product candidates; Kineta’s plans to research, develop and commercialize its current and future product candidates, including, but not limited to, KVA12123; the timing and anticipated results of Kineta’s planned pre-clinical studies and clinical trials and the risk that the results of Kineta’s pre-clinical studies and clinical trials may not be predictive of future results in connection with future studies or clinical trials; the timing of the availability of data from Kineta’s clinical trials; the timing of any planned investigational new drug application or new drug application; the risk of cessation or delay of any ongoing or planned clinical trials of
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
EVP Investor Relations & Business Development
+1 206-378-0400
jbouchy@kineta.us
Investor Relations:
jmullaly@lifesciadvisors.com
Source:
Source:
2023 GlobeNewswire, Inc., source