AbCellera Presents New Data on Two T-Cell Engager Programs at SITC 2023

Rhea-AI Summary

AbCellera presented new data at the SITC Annual Meeting on its T-cell engager (TCE) programs. The data show that TCE function is determined by multiple factors, including CD3-binding affinity. AbCellera has developed a high-throughput process to select diverse CD3-binding antibodies for different tumor targets. They also presented data on their MAGE-A4 x CD3 program, demonstrating the platform's ability to generate high-quality TCEs.

• New data from AbCellera’s T-cell engager platform demonstrates that diverse CD3-binding antibodies enable optimization of T-cell engager function beyond what is possible by modifying a single CD3-binder

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AbCellera (Nasdaq: ABCL) today presented new data on its T-cell engager (TCE) programs in two poster presentations at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 38th Annual Meeting. The data illustrate how AbCellera is leveraging its TCE platform to discover and develop immuno-oncology therapeutics for multiple tumor targets.

In its first poster, AbCellera presented data demonstrating that TCE function is determined by multiple factors, including—but not limited to—CD3-binding affinity. Based on these findings, AbCellera developed a high-throughput process that prioritizes TCE function to streamline the selection of diverse CD3-binding antibodies for different tumor targets. AbCellera is currently leveraging its integrated platform to discover and develop TCEs for multiple programs. The poster included data from two of these programs targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and melanoma-associated antigen 4 (MAGE-A4).

“Altering the affinity of either a small set of CD3-binding antibodies, or an antibody such as SP34-2, is a frequently used strategy to reduce risk of cytokine release syndrome by TCEs. However, we have demonstrated that CD3 affinity alone is not sufficient to optimize TCE function,” said Bo Barnhart, Ph.D., VP of Translational Research at AbCellera. “By pairing functionally diverse CD3-binders with a wide range of tumor-binding arms, our TCE platform has identified promising bispecific molecules.”

In its second poster, AbCellera presented additional data on its MAGE-A4 x CD3 program, which targets MAGE-A4, a challenging peptide-MHC target. AbCellera used its bispecific platform, OrthoMab^TM, to engineer more than 200 bispecific TCEs. Results from high-throughput assessment of these molecules demonstrate that the platform can generate high-quality TCEs for further development.

“Since launching our TCE platform in 2021, we’ve gained a deeper understanding of TCE biology that we believe will enable us to rapidly bring best-in-class molecules to the clinic,” said Neil Aubuchon, Chief Commercial Officer at AbCellera. “We look forward to applying these lessons to targets as we work towards bringing better cancer treatments to patients faster.”

AbCellera’s poster presentations are available for download here.

About T-Cell Engagers

CD3 T-cell engagers are bispecific antibodies that guide the immune system to find and eliminate cancer cells by binding both cancer-killing T cells and tumor targets at the same time. Developing effective T-cell engagers requires two parental antibodies—a CD3-binding arm that fine-tunes T-cell activation and a tumor-binding arm with high specificity for cancer cells. The small number of available CD3-binding antibodies that can effectively fine-tune T-cell responses has been a barrier to T-cell engager development. To address this barrier, AbCellera developed a complete T-cell engager platform that includes fully human, developable CD3-binding antibodies with unique binding and functional properties. By combining these antibodies with OrthoMab^TM, its clinically validated multispecific engineering platform, and its antibody discovery and development engine, AbCellera’s T-cell engager platform is designed to bring new cancer medicines to the clinic faster.

About AbCellera Biologics Inc.

AbCellera is breaking the barriers of conventional antibody drug discovery to bring better medicines to patients, sooner. AbCellera’s engine integrates expert teams, technology, and facilities with the data science and automation needed to propel antibody-based medicines from target to clinic in nearly every therapeutic area with precision and speed. AbCellera provides innovative biotechs and leading pharmaceutical companies with a competitive advantage that empowers them to move quickly, reduce cost, and tackle the toughest problems in drug development. For more information, please visit www.abcellera.com.

AbCellera Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s current beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. All statements contained in this release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our ability to develop, commercialize and achieve market acceptance of our current and planned products and services, our research and development efforts, and other matters regarding our business strategies, use of capital, results of operations and financial position, and plans and objectives for future operations.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are described under "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and elsewhere in the documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. We caution you that forward-looking statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our projections of the future, about which we cannot be certain. As a result, the forward-looking statements may not prove to be accurate. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent our views as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231101567573/en/

Inquiries

Media: Jessica Yingling, Ph.D.; media@abcellera.com, +1(236)521-6774

Business Development: Murray McCutcheon, Ph.D.; bd@abcellera.com, +1(604)559-9005

Investor Relations: Josephine Hellschlienger, Ph.D.; ir@abcellera.com, +1(778)729-9116

Source: AbCellera Biologics Inc.

FAQ

What did AbCellera present at the SITC Annual Meeting?

AbCellera presented new data on its T-cell engager (TCE) programs.

What determines TCE function according to the data?

TCE function is determined by multiple factors, including CD3-binding affinity.

What process has AbCellera developed to select CD3-binding antibodies?

AbCellera has developed a high-throughput process to select diverse CD3-binding antibodies for different tumor targets.

What data did AbCellera present on their MAGE-A4 x CD3 program?

AbCellera presented additional data on their MAGE-A4 x CD3 program, demonstrating the platform's ability to generate high-quality TCEs.

When did AbCellera launch their TCE platform?

AbCellera launched their TCE platform in 2021.