“BioCity and AstraZeneca Join Forces for Groundbreaking Liver Cancer Study in China”
BioCity Biopharma and AstraZeneca have inked a groundbreaking agreement to embark on a Phase Ib/II clinical study aimed at revolutionizing the treatment landscape for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in China. This dynamic collaboration revolves around BioCity’s BC3402, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting TIM-3, and AstraZeneca’s anti-PD-L1 mAb IMFINZI (durvalumab).
The study, which recently secured IND approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), will be spearheaded by BioCity and conducted at Zhongshan Hospital. Prof. Jia Fan, a distinguished liver cancer surgeon and president of Zhongshan Hospital, will serve as the principal investigator, bringing his extensive expertise to the forefront of this groundbreaking research.
BC3402 stands out as a potential game-changer in the anti-TIM-3 mAb arena, boasting multiple TIM-3 epitope bindings and an unrivaled binding affinity compared to its counterparts. This innovative antibody efficiently thwarts the binding of CEACAM1, PtdSer, and Gal-9 to TIM-3, offering relief from Tregs’ inhibitory effects and restoring IL-2 production by T cells.
Notably, BC3402 has showcased synergistic anti-cancer potential alongside mAbs targeting PD-1 and CTLA-4, two pivotal clinical targets for liver cancer treatment. The synergy of TIM-3, PD-1, and CTLA-4 as immune checkpoint inhibitors opens new horizons for enhanced therapeutic outcomes.
In China, the dire unmet medical needs for HCC treatments underscore the urgency of pioneering solutions, with the 5-year survival rate for patients with advanced HCC hovering at a mere 7%.
The BioCity-AstraZeneca collaboration seeks to explore the transformative potential of combining BC3402 with durvalumab, holding the promise of elevating clinical outcomes for HCC patients. This partnership may well pave the way for further trailblazing innovations not only in HCC but potentially across other cancer types in China.
About BioCity
“Pioneering the Future: BioCity’s Quest for Innovative Cancer and Autoimmune Therapies” In a quest to reshape the landscape of cancer and autoimmune disorder therapeutics, BioCity emerged in December 2017 as a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical trailblazer.
Their unwavering commitment centers on the development of groundbreaking, modality-independent therapies that promise to revolutionize the treatment of chronic kidney diseases (CKD), alongside cancer and autoimmune disorders.
Armed with a robust pipeline featuring over 10 innovative drug candidates, BioCity’s portfolio spans a diverse array of modalities. From small molecules to monoclonal and bispecific antibodies, and the cutting-edge domain of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), BioCity is harnessing the full spectrum of scientific innovation.
Within their dynamic pipeline, BioCity Biopharma has unfurled six remarkable oncology assets in Phase 1 development. Among these, a groundbreaking CDH3-targeting ADC takes the spotlight as a first-in-class marvel. Equally impressive are agents that venture into uncharted territory by targeting the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway through innovative WEE1 and ATR inhibitors.
Not stopping there, BioCity is forging ahead with agents designed to engage the immune system, including a potent T cell engager (CD3/EGFR BsAb), an immune checkpoint inhibitor (TIM-3 mAb), and a formidable T cell activator (4-1BB mAb).
This multifaceted approach promises to unlock new horizons in cancer treatment. Furthermore, a Phase 2 randomized trial is underway, evaluating an endothelin A (ETA)-receptor selective antagonist for CKD.
As BioCity continues to pioneer the future of healthcare, their innovative solutions are poised to rewrite the narrative for patients battling these challenging diseases.