Points, EVA Air soar into multi-year collaboration enhancing Infinity MileageLands programme

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 -- Award-winning Taiwanese carrier, EVA Air, and global leader in loyalty commerce, Points, have entered into a new multi-year collaboration to introduce a series of member benefits that will increase customer engagement and generate additional ancillary revenue streams for the carrier via the Infinity MileageLands programme.

The partnership began Nov 11, with the introduction of Purchase Miles, which leverages Points’ Buy solution and enables customers to get to their rewards sooner by buying additional miles at a preferential rate.

According to a statement, a series of additional loyalty solutions designed to offer members even more utility and value when accruing miles will be introduced next year.

EVA Air is also leveraging Points’ industry-leading loyalty marketing expertise and data-driven insights to develop personalised campaigns to the Infinity MileageLands membership base which is expected to drive additional growth for the programme.

A further addition as part of the new partnership is EVA Mileage Mall, a market-leading, earning platform powered by Collinson Valuedynamx.

Customers can shop their favourite brands online and earn additional miles that are credited to their membership accounts via an integration with Points’ Loyalty Commerce Platform.

Chief Executive Officer of Points, Rob MacLean said: “We are extremely pleased to be partnering with EVA Air for the first time, and renewing our longstanding collaboration with Collinson, to help grow and enhance the overall value of the Infinity MileageLands programme.”

“By implementing our loyalty solutions, EVA Air can generate additional membership engagement opportunities together with establishing new revenue streams for the Infinity MileageLands programme.”

With this new collaboration, EVA joins close to 60 of the world’s most well known loyalty programmes who already leverage Points' best-in-class loyalty solutions.

-- BERNAMA

LEDDARTECH TO SHOWCASE CRITICAL SENSING AND PERCEPTION SOLUTIONS ENABLING ADAS AND AUTONOMOUS DRIVING AT CES LAS VEGAS 2022

LeddarTech invites LiDAR manufacturers, Tier 1-2 suppliers, system integrators and automotive OEMs to discover the latest in ADAS and AD sensing and perception technologies at booth 7061 January 5-8 at CES 

QUEBEC, Dec 14 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LeddarTech^®, a global leader in providing the most flexible, robust and accurate ADAS and AD sensing technology, is pleased to announce its participation at five CES Las Vegas locations, January 5-8 ’22. The LeddarTech Showcase location will demonstrate four new leading solutions that enable OEMs, Tier 1-2 suppliers, system integrators and LiDAR manufacturers to solve critical ADAS and AD sensing and perception challenges across the entire value chain of the automotive, mobility and off-road vehicle markets. In addition, LeddarTech will also be present at four other Ecosystem Partner locations. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=41932

ADAGIO THERAPEUTICS REPORTS REDUCTION IN IN VITRO NEUTRALIZING ACTIVITY OF ADG20 AGAINST OMICRON SARS-COV-2 VARIANT

Previously Reported In Vitro Data Demonstrating that Individual Omicron Mutations Were Not Associated with ADG20 Escape Do Not Translate to Omicron Authentic and Pseudovirus Assays


WALTHAM, Mass., Dec 15 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adagio Therapeutics, Inc., (Nasdaq: ADGI) a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of antibody-based solutions for infectious diseases with pandemic potential, today provided an update following external in vitro analyses to evaluate neutralizing activity of ADG20 against the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant. The in vitro data generated through both authentic and pseudovirus testing of the Omicron variant show a greater than 300-fold reduction in neutralizing activity of ADG20 against Omicron. Additional analyses are ongoing, and the company plans to engage with regulatory and government agencies to assess the role ADG20 can play for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, particularly as the industry’s understanding of the epidemiology and impact of Omicron and potential new variants develops.

“Due to the highly conserved and immunorecessive nature of the epitope recognized by ADG20, we anticipated that ADG20 would retain neutralizing activity against Omicron, consistent with activity observed in in vitro models with all other known variants of concern,” said Tillman Gerngross, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Adagio. “While the individual mutations present in the Omicron receptor binding domain were not associated with escape from ADG20 in the context of an original strain of the virus, new data show that the combination of mutations present in the Omicron spike protein led to a reduction in ADG20 neutralization that was not suggested by prior data. The continued prevalence of the Delta variant in the U.S. and other countries, evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants and potential future coronaviruses means a multitude of therapies and approaches are needed. With an expert team committed to advancing antibody solutions that combat this unprecedented pandemic and a strong balance sheet, we’re conducting additional analyses to assess the optimal path forward with ADG20 as both a prophylactic and treatment option for COVID-19.”

ADG20 is an investigational monoclonal antibody (mAb) product candidate designed to provide broad and potent neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2, including variants of concern, for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 with potential duration of protection for up to one year with a single injection. In previously disclosed in vitro studies, ADG20 retained activity against prior variants of concern including Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma. In addition, in vitro data demonstrated retained neutralizing activity of ADG20 against a diverse panel of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the Lambda, Mu and Delta plus variants. The safety and efficacy of ADG20 have not been established, and ADG20 is not authorized or approved for use in any country.

Adagio is currently evaluating ADG20 in global Phase 2/3 clinical trials for both the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Based on the in vitro findings related to Omicron, Adagio plans to pause patient recruitment in its Phase 2/3 COVID-19 treatment trial at clinical sites in South Africa, where Omicron has emerged as the dominant variant. Adagio is evaluating next steps for its ADG20 program.

In vitro analyses were also conducted on ADG10, a second mAb in development, which showed minimal neutralizing activity against the Omicron variant in both authentic and pseudovirus neutralization assays.

About Adagio Therapeutics
Adagio (Nasdaq: ADGI) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of antibody-based solutions for infectious diseases with pandemic potential, including COVID-19 and influenza. The company’s portfolio of antibodies has been optimized using Adimab’s industry-leading antibody engineering capabilities and is designed to provide patients and clinicians with the potential for a powerful combination of potency, breadth, durable protection (via half-life extension), manufacturability and affordability. Adagio’s portfolio of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies includes multiple non-competing, broadly neutralizing antibodies with distinct binding epitopes, led by ADG20. Adagio has secured manufacturing capacity for the production of ADG20 with third-party contract manufacturers to support the completion of clinical trials and initial commercial launch, ensuring the potential for broad accessibility to people around the world. For more information, please visit www.adagiotx.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “projects,” and “future” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning, among other things, the timing, progress and results of our preclinical studies and clinical trials of ADG20, including the timing of future program updates and the initiation, modification and completion of studies or trials and related preparatory work, the period during which the results of the trials will become available and our research and development programs; the additional and ongoing analyses to evaluate the activity of ADG20 against the Omicron variant and the potential of ADG20 to play a role as both a prophylactic and a treatment option for COVID-19; the risk/benefit profile of our product candidates to patients; and the adequacy of our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, clinical trials and financial position, unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during preclinical studies or clinical trials, clinical trial site activation or enrollment rates that are lower than expected, changes in expected or existing competition, changes in the regulatory environment, and the uncertainties and timing of the regulatory approval process. Other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements in this press release are described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Adagio’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 and in Adagio’s future reports to be filed with the SEC. Such risks may be amplified by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of this date, and Adagio undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Contacts:
Media Contact:
Dan Budwick, 1AB
Dan@1abmedia.com

Investor Contact:
Monique Allaire, THRUST Strategic Communications
monique@thrustsc.com

SOURCE : Adagio Therapeutics, Inc.

Retrace AV launches paint product, destroying SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 virus

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 -- Billions of people worldwide are attempting to return to workplaces, schools and social spaces. Governments & business owners need to do everything they can to boost confidence and let consumers know their safety is top priority. 

Retrace AV has launched a new paint product that destroys SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 virus within 30 minutes, according to a statement.

Retrace AV  is the future proof solution because its mode of action is not variant specific. It can be added into water-based paint to give 99.99 per cent protection against SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 virus.

No training is needed, you can simply pour it in, mix and paint. It is easy to order and store, only 25ml of Retrace AV is needed for each 1 litre of paint. It gets to work as soon as the paint dries.

This means, one topcoat of your chosen paint adds antipathogenic security against bacteria and viruses for many years (tested for 10 years) and its efficacy can be verified annually thereafter, by accredited providers.

Developed by an international team, Retrace AV has been tested to ISO 21702, ISO 22196 and ISO 11607 by independent laboratories, including the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and UL, a global safety certification company, which has verified its effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2.

Retrace AV Limited, a Retrace Group company, leads the international team of manufacturers and distributors delivering the innovative anti-pathogenic paint additive to the world market.

More details at https://retraceav.com/

-- BERNAMA

THE 8TH SILK ROAD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL HELD IN FUZHOU - WINNERS OF THE GOLDEN SILK ROAD AWARDS ANNOUNCED

AsiaNet 93650

^{The 8th Silk Road International Film Festival Opening Ceremony}


FUZHOU, China, Dec. 14, 2021 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--

From December 8th to 12th, the 8th Silk Road International Film Festival was held in Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China. The event was sponsored by China Media Group, Fujian Provincial Government and Shaanxi Provincial Government, and organized by the Fujian Film Administration, Fuzhou Municipal Government and CCTV-6 Film Channel.
 
The winners of 8th Golden Silk Road Awards are as follows:
-I Never Cry, for Best Film;
-Celine Sciamma, Director of Petite Maman, for Best Director;
-Gong Zhe was honored as Best Actress for her role in Island Keeper;
-Liu Ye was honored as Best Actor for his performance in Island Keeper;
-Turaj Aslani (Iraq/Syria), for Best First-time Director;
-Lennert Hillege (Netherlands), for Best Cinematography;
-Crossing the Yalu River, for Best Visual Effects;
-The Mole Agent (Chile), for Best Documentary Film; and
-Where Is Anne Frank (Belgium/Luxembourg/France/Netherlands), for Best Animation Film
 
According the Office of Executive Committee (Fuzhou) of the Silk Road International Film Festival, during the five-day Festival, nearly one hundred film professionals from countries and regions along the Silk Road gathered in Fuzhou and discussed the development of the film industry. Movies are used as a tie to promote cultural exchanges between China and the countries and regions along the Belt and Road.
 
Source: Office of Executive Committee (Fuzhou) of the Silk Road International Film Festival
 
Image Attachments Links:
 
   Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=410813
 
   Caption: The 8th Silk Road International Film Festival Opening Ceremony

ADAGENE PRESENTS PRECLINICAL DATA SHOWCASING BEST-IN-CLASS PROFILES FOR ADG153, AN ANTI-CD47 SAFEBODY® AND ADG152, A CD20XCD3 BISPECIFIC T-CELL ENGAGER POWERBODY™

- Posters presented at the 63^rd American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting -


SAN DIEGO and SUZHOU, China, Dec 14 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adagene Inc. (“Adagene”) (Nasdaq: ADAG), a biopharmaceutical company committed to transforming the discovery and development of novel antibody-based immunotherapies, today announced preclinical data demonstrating the compelling differentiation of ADG153, an anti-CD47 monoclonal antibody (mAb), and ADG152, a CD20xCD3 bispecific T-cell engager (TCE). The data were presented in two poster presentations at the 63^rd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition taking place December 11-14, 2021, which are available in the Publications section of the company’s website at www.adagene.com.

“Our novel anti-CD47 antibody and CD20xCD3 bispecific TCE programs successfully leverage SAFEbody technology for precision masking to decouple efficacy from the toxicities that are often associated with therapeutic modalities for these two important targets on the forefront of clinical development for hematologic malignancies,” said Peter Luo, Ph.D., Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Adagene. “Our preclinical evaluation shows the desirable target product profiles of these two transformative programs emerging from our deep, broad and differentiated pipeline. In particular, we are very excited about our highly differentiated anti-CD47 SAFEbody in IgG1 format, which introduces IgG1-mediated effects for potent tumor killing with a compelling safety profile and 8-fold prolonged half-life. Our first POWERbody CD20xCD3 bispecific TCE with precision masking on our tailor-made anti-CD3 arm is highly differentiated, engineered for potent and sustained tumor killing with more than 100-fold cytokine release control and 2-3-fold prolonged half-life in comparison with a benchmarked antibody in clinical development. Together, these two programs highlight the strength of our AI-powered antibody platform, paving the way for explosive growth of our pipeline.”

ADG153 (Anti-CD47 SAFEbody)

Key findings from the poster (#3342) titled “ADG153, an Anti-CD-47 Monoclonal Antibody Prodrug, Has Strong In Vivo Anti-Tumor Activity, Minimal RBC-Related and Antigen Sink Liabilities, and Extended Half Life in Comparison with Benchmark Clinical Antibodies of the Same IgG Subclass” include:

• Given the dose-limiting hematologic toxicity and antigen sink liability associated with current anti-CD47 antibodies in clinical development, Adagene has developed an anti-CD47 SAFEbody with precision masking for preferential binding on CD47 overexpressed on tumor versus normal cells. To realize the full potential of anti-CD47 therapy for both hematologic and solid malignancies, the SAFEbody technology enables IgG1-mediated strong effector functions for potent tumor killing, while minimizing antigen sink and red blood cell (RBC) depletion with an approximately 8-fold prolonged half-life for convenient drug dosing and administration.
• An anti-CD47 ADG153-G4 SAFEbody was designed for benchmarking and evaluated in preclinical studies in comparison with its parental antibody, and analogs of magrolimab (Hu5F9) and lemzoparlimab (TJC4) in IgG4 format with the following findings:
   
  • ADG153-G4 parental antibody and its activated SAFEbody can block the CD47 signal by targeting a unique epitope of CD47 with high affinity and minimal RBC hemagglutination.
  • In preclinical studies in monkeys, ADG153-G4 showed a significantly less decrease in RBCs and hemoglobin at the 10, 30 and 60 mg/kg dose levels compared to Hu5F9 at 10 mg/kg, addressing the hematologic toxicities inherent in current anti-CD47 therapies in development.
  • ADG153-G4 SAFEbody also showed its 8-fold prolonged half-life by overcoming the antigen sink observed with other anti-CD47 therapies in development.
  • Only antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) effector function was detected for anti-CD47 antibodies in IgG4 isotype via CD47-mediated phagocytosis by macrophage.
• An anti-CD47 ADG153-G1 SAFEbody was designed to maximize tumor killing via IgG1-mediated effector functions unlike many other anti-CD47 therapies in development:
   
  • ADG153-G1 induced potent antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC); as expected, none was observed for the IgG4 benchmark antibodies.
  • ADG153-G1 induced stronger ADCP activity than the IgG4 benchmark antibodies.
• Preclinical results concluded that the ADG153-G1 can achieve potent anti-CD47 efficacy with a well-tolerated safety profile, providing a strong rationale to advance this candidate into clinic. Currently, no other known anti-CD47 antibodies using the IgG1 isotype are in clinical development.
   
  • Notably, ADG153-G1 was well tolerated at 10 mg/kg, with only an 8 percent decrease in RBCs, compared to a 49 percent decrease with Hu5F9 in IgG4 format. For reference, it has been reported in the literature that another IgG1 anti-CD47 antibody can cause more than a 40 percent decrease in RBCs at 1 mg/kg.
  • After a single intravenous dose, ADG153-G1 demonstrated an approximately 8-fold longer apparent half-life and 5-fold higher area under the curve (AUC) at 10mg/kg than Hu5F9.
• Taken together, these preclinical findings suggest that the ADG153-G1 SAFEbody integrates safety (by precision masking) and efficacy (by IgG1-mediated ADCC and ADCP) into one single modality for a best-in-class product profile, presenting the exciting opportunity to maximize potential of anti-CD47 therapy - ultimately aimed for solid malignancies.

ADG152 (CD20xCD3 POWERbody)

Key findings from the poster (#1204) titled “ADG152, a Novel CD20xCD3 T-Cell Engager Prodrug with Enhanced Therapeutic Index, Demonstrates Strong Anti-Tumor Activity with Improved Safety” include:

• ADG152 is a bispecific CD20xCD3 T-cell engager POWERbody that integrates SAFEbody precision masking technology to minimize cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and on-target/off-tumor toxicities for an increased therapeutic index.
  • The anti-CD20 arm of ADG152 has enhanced the binding to CD20, while its anti-CD3 arm has tailor made affinity for CD3 using SAFEbody technology.

• At a 100-fold higher dose, ADG152 at 30 mg/kg resulted in significantly less cytokine induction (as measured by IFN-γ and IL-2 levels) than an analog of plamotamab at 0.3 mg/kg.
   
• In preclinical models, ADG152 resulted in dose-dependent anti-tumor activity with almost complete tumor growth inhibition when dosed at 1.5 mg/kg.
   
• ADG152 induced strong and sustained B-cell depletion across different dose levels.
   
• ADG152 also demonstrated improved pharmacokinetics in monkeys versus the plamotamab analog, with approximately a 2-fold longer half-life (7-13 days at 0.3 - 30mg/kg) and approximately an 8-fold higher AUC after a single intravenous injection.

“CRS has been a longstanding challenge of T-cell engagers and has limited the ability to safely provide high levels of activity during initial dosing,” said Stanley Frankel, M.D., a clinical advisor who contributed to development and approval of blinatumomab (Blincyto^®) while working at Micromet and Amgen. “I am encouraged that the preclinical profile of ADG152 offers potential to provide a way to simplify treatment by avoiding step dosing and pretreatment with steroids, while also enhancing efficacy of this POWERbody to engage T-cells to attack tumor targets.”

Both ADG153 and ADG152 are potential Investigational New Drug candidates from Adagene’s growing portfolio of preclinical discovery programs, five of which are in IND-enabling studies. The preclinical data presented at ASH provide a strong rationale for advancing these potentially best-in-class candidates into clinical development.

About Adagene

Adagene Inc. (Nasdaq: ADAG) is a platform-driven, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to transforming the discovery and development of novel antibody-based cancer immunotherapies. Adagene combines computational biology and artificial intelligence to design novel antibodies that address unmet patient needs. Powered by its proprietary Dynamic Precision Library (DPL) platform, composed of NEObody™, SAFEbody^®, and POWERbody™ technologies, Adagene’s highly differentiated pipeline features novel immunotherapy programs. Adagene has forged strategic collaborations with reputable global partners that leverage its technology in multiple approaches at the vanguard of science.

For more information, please visit: https://investor.adagene.com.

SAFEbody^® is a registered trademark in the United States, China, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and the European Union.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the potential implications of preclinical results, and Adagene’s advancement of, and anticipated clinical activities, clinical development and regulatory milestones of its product candidates. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including but not limited to Adagene’s ability to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its drug candidates; the clinical results for its drug candidates, which may not support further development or regulatory approval; the content and timing of decisions made by the relevant regulatory authorities regarding regulatory approval of Adagene’s drug candidates; Adagene’s ability to achieve commercial success for its drug candidates, if approved; Adagene’s ability to obtain and maintain protection of intellectual property for its technology and drugs; Adagene’s reliance on third parties to conduct drug development, manufacturing and other services; Adagene’s limited operating history and Adagene’s ability to obtain additional funding for operations and to complete the development and commercialization of its drug candidates; Adagene’s ability to enter into additional collaboration agreements beyond its existing strategic partnerships or collaborations, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Adagene’s clinical development, commercial and other operations, as well as those risks more fully discussed in the “Risk Factors” section in Adagene’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Adagene, and Adagene undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Internal Contact:
Ami Knoefler
Adagene
650-739-9952
ir@adagene.com

External Contact:
Bruce Mackle
LifeSci Advisors
646-889-1200
bmackle@lifesciadvisors.com 


SOURCE : Adagene, Inc.

QIAOXU - CHINA DOWN VALLEY SEES FEATHER FACTORY TRANSFORMATION

 


KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- Plot B of Qiaoxu - China Down Valley has been under construction in full swing and multiple large machines have been operated for land leveling, as a down feather factory is planned to be built here.

According to the Publicity Department of Gangnan District, Guigang, the total planned land area of the project is 69618.12 square metres, two production workshops are planned to be built, covering an area of 40,000 square metres.

In April, Plot A was put into production, marking an essential stride in the transformation and upgrading of the down feather industry in Gangnan District, according to a statement.

Qiaoxu down feather industry of Gangnan District, Guigang, Guangxi was flourishing in the 1980s.

For over 40 years, Qiaoxu down feather industry has grown rapidly by gathering the high-quality down resources and relying on the industries with little investment but quick results as well as the flexibility in business and agriculture, laying a foundation for the reputations of ‘Hometown of Down in China’, ‘High-quality Down Production Base in China’, and ‘Excellent Down Feather Industrial Cluster in China’.

The products are sold to Zhejiang, Shanghai, and other regions and countries, including Japan, Korea, the United States and Europe, and the processing volume accounts for 28 per cent of China, 18 per cent of the world.

To consolidate existing advantages, Qiaoxu Town Government and Guangxi Qiaoxu Lotus Down Feather Group Co Ltd have prepared to jointly set up the Project of Qiaoxu - China Down Valley.

This is to build it into a new factory with advanced technology and high value-added products upon standardisation, modernisation and internationalisation, intellectualisation.

The total investment is expected to be RMB1.615 billion, and the building area for the construction is planned to be 46.19 hectares. The Project will be divided into three phases, with a construction period of five years. (RMB100 = RM66.30)

--  BERNAMA

LINTONPHARM ANNOUNCES FIRST PATIENT DOSED IN PHASE 1 CLINICAL TRIAL OF CATUMAXOMAB FOR NON-MUSCLE-INVASIVE BLADDER CANCER UNRESPONSIVE TO BACILLUS CALMETTE-GUERIN

GUANGZHOU, China, Dec 2 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- LintonPharm Co., Ltd., a China-based clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of T cell engaging bispecific antibodies for cancer immunotherapy, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in the Company’s Phase 1/2 clinical trial program for catumaxomab (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04799847), a monoclonal bispecific antibody being studied for the treatment of Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) unresponsive to Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG).

“The initiation of our Phase 1 trial of catumaxomab for the treatment of NMIBC is an important step in our clinical program evaluating catumaxomab as targeted therapy in a broad range of cancers”, said Robert Li, PH.D., DABT, Co-founder and CEO of LintonPharm. “Patients with NMIBC BCG failure need new therapies due to the limitations of current treatments which bring poor prognosis, such as high rates of tumor recurrence, bladder dysfunction and lifelong intervention. Based on encouraging pre-clinical data and clinical experience with patients who’ve received catumaxomab in the past through the compassionate use program, we are hopeful that catumaxomab will be a very promising immunotherapy candidate for patients with NMIBC BCG failure.”

A recent publication indicated clinical benefits of catumaxomab as compassionate use in patients with EpCAM-positive recurrent NMIBC. It is noted that catumaxomab was well tolerated and presented promising performance in tumor control ^[¹^]. Based on the data and the developmental potential, catumaxomab could provide a feasible, safe, and efficacious therapy for NMIBC patients, if approved.

Bladder cancer is the 10th most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, with approximately 573,000 new cases in 2020 and roughly 75 percent are diagnosed as NMIBC ^[²^][³^]. Currently, the mainstay treatments of NMIBC include transurethral resection, chemotherapy and intravesical BCG ^[³ ^].

About Catumaxomab

Catumaxomab was approved by the European Medicines Agency in 2009 for the treatment of malignant ascites. This bispecific antibody binds to a transmembrane glycoprotein on the tumor cell--the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)--and CD3 on the T cell, and also recruits immune accessory cells through FcγR binding. Catumaxomab destroys tumor cells by engaging T cell and accessory cell mediated cytotoxicity and has the potential to induce long-term vaccinal effects which has been verified in animal models.

Recently, catumaxomab was authorized by regulatory authorities in China, Taiwan (China) and South Korea to conduct a global Phase 3 clinical trial for treating patients with advanced gastric cancer (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04222114).

About LintonPharm

LintonPharm Co., Ltd. is a clinical-stage, research-oriented biopharmaceutical company committed to developing innovative T cell engaging bispecific antibodies with the goal of turning malignant cancers into manageable and possibly curable diseases. LintonPharm has developed multiple bispecific antibody platforms with a great potential of refined safety and efficacy profiles, long-lasting vaccinal effects and CMC efficiency. The current pipeline includes several treatments in development for blood cancer and solid tumors. The leading molecule, catumaxomab is being evaluated in clinical trials for both advanced gastric cancer and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. For more information, please visit www.lintonpharm.com.
 

[¹]. Ruf P, Bauer HW, Schoberth A, Kellermann C, Lindhofer H (2021). First time intravesically administered trifunctional antibody catumaxomab in patients with recurrent non muscle invasive bladder cancer indicates high tolerability and local immunological activity. Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-021-02930-7

[²]. World Health Organization (WHO). Globocan 2020. Global Cancer Observatory. Accessed January 7, 2021. https://gco.iarc.fr/

[³ ]. Kamat AM, Hahn NM, Efstathiou JA, et al. (2016) Bladder cancer. Lancet 2016. 388: 2796-810. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30512-8

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211201005307/en/ 

Contact

U.S. Based Media
Tim Hay
The Grace Communication Group
tim@gracegroup.us

APAC Media:
Mia He
LintonPharm
jingyi.he@lintonpharm.com 

Source : LintonPharm Co., Ltd. 

--BERNAMA