Purple Biotech Ltd. (NASDAQ/TASE: PPBT) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing first-in-class therapies designed to harness the potential of the tumor microenvironment. The company’s innovative approach aims to overcome tumor immune evasion and drug resistance, ultimately leading to more effective cancer treatments.
Key highlights related to Purple Biotech’s lead oncology drug, CM24, include:
- CM24 Monoclonal Antibody: CM24 is a first-in-class anti-CEACAM1 monoclonal antibody developed by Purple Biotech. CEACAM1 is a target of interest due to its overexpression in both tumor cells and infiltrating immune cells within the tumor microenvironment.
- Clinical Data: The company presented new biomarker data for CM24 at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Special Conference. These data highlight the potential of CM24 in combination with Nivolumab for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer (PDAC).
- Biomarker Insights: The biomarker data suggest that higher pre-treatment levels of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes expressing CEACAM1 may be associated with longer survival in PDAC patients treated with CM24 and Nivolumab. This finding indicates the potential utility of CEACAM1-positive lymphocytes as a biomarker for CM24 therapy.
- Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs): The poster also reveals high expression of CEACAM1 on neutrophils and NETs (Neutrophil Extracellular Traps) in PDAC patients. Additionally, CM24 treatment was shown to significantly reduce the levels of NET markers in patients’ serum, suggesting a novel mechanism of action (MoA) that may mitigate NET-related complications.
- Phase 2 Study: CM24 is currently undergoing evaluation in a randomized Phase 2 study in combination with Nivolumab and standard of care (SoC) chemotherapy as a second-line treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The primary endpoint of this study is overall survival, and it aims to assess the effectiveness of CM24 in combination with Nivolumab and SoC chemotherapy compared to SoC chemotherapy alone.
The research and development efforts related to CM24 and its potential impact on PDAC patients represent Purple Biotech’s commitment to advancing innovative oncology therapies. The company continues to investigate biomarkers, mechanisms of action, and clinical outcomes to enhance the understanding of CM24’s therapeutic potential.
About Purple Biotech
Purple Biotech Ltd. (NASDAQ/TASE: PPBT) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing innovative therapies aimed at addressing the challenges of tumor immune evasion and drug resistance. The company’s oncology pipeline comprises several promising candidates, including NT219, CM24, and IM1240:
- NT219: This novel small molecule is a dual inhibitor designed to simultaneously target IRS1/2 and STAT3. It has the potential to disrupt key pathways involved in tumor growth and survival. NT219 is being studied in Phase 1/2 trials as both a monotherapy for various solid tumors and in combination with cetuximab for the treatment of recurrent and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) or colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC).
- CM24: CM24 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks CEACAM1, an immune checkpoint protein implicated in tumor immune evasion. It is being investigated as a combination therapy with anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors in a Phase 2 study for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Purple Biotech has collaborated with Bristol Myers Squibb for Phase 2 clinical trials evaluating the combination of CM24 with the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab, alongside chemotherapy.
- IM1240: IM1240 is a preclinical, conditionally-activated tri-specific antibody. It engages both T cells and NK cells to elicit a potent localized immune response within the tumor microenvironment. The third arm of IM1240 specifically targets the Tumor Associated Antigen (TAA) 5T4, which is expressed in various solid tumors associated with advanced disease and poor clinical outcomes. IM1240’s cleavable capping technology confines its therapeutic activity to the local tumor microenvironment, potentially widening the therapeutic window for patients.
Purple Biotech is committed to advancing these innovative therapies to address the unmet needs of cancer patients and improve treatment outcomes. The company’s research and development efforts are focused on targeting critical pathways and mechanisms involved in tumor progression, immune evasion, and drug resistance. Purple Biotech is headquartered in Rehovot, Israel, and is actively working toward advancing its oncology pipeline to benefit patients worldwide.