Corbus Pharmaceuticals Licenses Two Integrin Targeting mAbs Further Expanding Pipeline into Cancer and Fibrotic Diseases

Rhea-AI Summary

Corbus Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: CRBP) announced today the expansion of its pipeline with two new monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), CRB-601 and CRB-602, aimed at inhibiting TGFβ activation. These mAbs, licensed from UCSF and Panorama Research, target integrins associated with fibrotic diseases and certain cancers. Both are expected to enter Phase 1 testing in 2022. With $125 million in cash, Corbus plans to advance up to four programs into clinical development. The total upfront payment for the licensing deals is $2 million, with potential milestone payments reaching $206 million.

Positive

• Diversification of the pipeline with two new mAbs targeting integrins to inhibit TGFβ.
• Plans to advance up to four clinical programs in 2022.
• Strong financial position with $125 million in cash expected to fund operations through Q1 2024.

Negative

• None.

• Corbus diversifies pipeline with two new mAbs that target integrins that inhibit activation of TGFβ

• High potency anti-αvβ8 mAb licensed from University of California San Francisco and
  anti-αvβ6/αvβ8 mAb licensed from Panorama Research Inc.

• Both mAbs expected to start Phase 1 testing in 2022
• Capital and resources in place to advance multiple programs into clinical development
• Company to host conference call and webcast today, Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. ET
  

Norwood, MA, June 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRBP) (“Corbus” or the “Company”), today announced licensing deals for two new monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), CRB-601 and CRB-602, that target integrins to inhibit activation of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). This new integrin program, in addition to the existing endocannabinoid system program, strengthens and diversifies Corbus’ immunology pipeline for inflammatory, fibrotic, and metabolic diseases, and cancer. With these additions, Corbus expects to have four compounds other than lenabasum in Phase 1 testing in 2022.

Targeting integrins to inhibit TGFβ activation

TGFβ is a multifunctional cytokine involved in many cellular processes, including cell growth and differentiation, immune responses, wound healing, and tissue repair. TGFβ plays a key role in fibrosis and also promotes cancer growth and metastasis via its effects in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The integrins αvβ6 and αvβ8 are expressed by cancer cells, and αvβ6 is also expressed on epithelial cells in fibrotic diseases. These integrins enable TGFβ to exert its biologic effects by releasing it from its latent complex. The goal of blocking these integrins is to inhibit the deleterious effects of TGFβ. A number of other preclinical and early clinical stage programs are testing this approach of inhibiting αv integrins.

CRB-601 and CRB-602 are two novel and distinct anti-integrin mAbs:

• CRB-601 is an anti-αvβ8 mAb rationally designed by Dr. Stephen Nishimura and his colleagues at the University of California San Francisco and is potent at picomolar concentrations in inhibiting activation of TGFβ. C6D4, the parent mAb of CRB-601, has single agent activity as well as synergistic activity when combined with an anti-PD1 mAb in syngeneic mouse tumor models. Corbus plans to develop CRB-601 for treatment of solid tumors in combination with existing therapies, including checkpoint inhibitors. Phase 1 studies are expected to start in 2022.
• CRB-602 was developed by Panorama Research Inc. to specifically inhibit both αvβ6 and αvβ8. Both αvβ6 and αvβ8 have been implicated in fibrotic diseases and in cancers of epithelial cell origin. Corbus believes targeting both integrins at once is a rational approach to treating fibrotic diseases and carcinomas. Phase 1 studies are expected to start in 2022.

“We look forward to a strong partnership with Corbus and hope to see our mAb make a positive impact on the lives of cancer patients all over the world,” said Anthony Francis, Executive Director of Technology Management at UCSF Innovation Ventures.

“Corbus is committed to developing new medicines to improve the lives of people who need them,” stated Yuval Cohen, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer. “We believe these two new integrin-targeting mAbs offer a promising approach to inhibiting TGFβ, fit well with our expertise in immunology, and diversify and expand our pipeline. We plan to advance up to four new programs into the clinic next year and have the capital and resources to do so.” 

The Company’s $125 million of cash and investments on hand, as of March 31, 2021, is expected to fund operations into the first quarter of 2024, based on the current planned expenditures. 

Transactions Terms and Conditions:

Under the combined terms of the two exclusive licensing agreements, Corbus will pay $2,000,000 upfront and will make potential development and sales milestone payments totaling up to $206,000,000 and pay low single-digit royalties on sales.

Conference Call and Webcast Information:

Corbus management will host a conference call and webcast presentation for investors, analysts, and other interested parties today, Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. ET.

To participate on the call, please dial (877) 407-3978 (domestic) or (412) 902-0039 (international). The live webcast will be accessible on the Events page of the Investors section of the Corbus website, www.corbuspharma.com, and will be archived for 90 days.

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is exclusively focused on the health sciences and is dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It includes UCSF Health, which comprises three top-ranked hospitals, as well as affiliations throughout the Bay Area. Learn more at ucsf.edu, or see our Fact Sheet.

About Panorama Research Inc.

Panorama Research Inc. is a translational research lab and incubator with deep domain expertise in antibody engineering and preclinical drug development. Panorama focuses on identifying promising therapeutic targets and incubates novel, proprietary technologies from in-house research or through collaboration with leading academic institutions. Panorama is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA.

About Corbus

Corbus is committed to leveraging our expertise in immunology to fulfill our purpose of developing innovative new medicines that improve the lives of people living with inflammatory, fibrotic, and metabolic diseases, and cancer. Corbus’ current pipeline includes small molecules that activate or inhibit the endocannabinoid system and anti-integrin monoclonal antibodies that block activation of TGFβ. Corbus is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts. For more information on Corbus, visit corbuspharma.com. Connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, as amended, including those relating to the Company's restructuring, trial results, product development, clinical and regulatory timelines, market opportunity, competitive position, possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, potential growth opportunities and other statement that are predictive in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which we operate and management's current beliefs and assumptions.

These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking expressions, including, but not limited to, "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "estimate," "potential,” "predict," "project," "should," "would" and similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. These statements relate to future events or our financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including the potential impact of the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the potential impact of sustained social distancing efforts, on our operations, clinical development plans and timelines, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include those set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

UCSF Contact:
Ellen Kats, Assistant Director, Business Development & Licensing
Email: ellen.kats@ucsf.edu

Corbus Pharmaceuticals Contacts:
Ted Jenkins, Senior Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Phone: +1 (617) 415-7745
Email: ir@corbuspharma.com

Lindsey Smith, Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Phone: +1 (617) 415-7749
Email: mediainfo@corbuspharma.com

FAQ

What are the new developments announced by Corbus Pharmaceuticals on June 1, 2021?

Corbus Pharmaceuticals announced the licensing of two new monoclonal antibodies (CRB-601 and CRB-602) targeting integrins to inhibit TGFβ activation.

When will the Phase 1 testing for CRB-601 and CRB-602 start?

Phase 1 testing for both CRB-601 and CRB-602 is expected to commence in 2022.

How much cash does Corbus Pharmaceuticals have for its operations?

Corbus Pharmaceuticals has $125 million in cash and investments, which is expected to fund operations into the first quarter of 2024.

What is the total potential payment for the licensing deals of the new mAbs?

Corbus Pharmaceuticals will pay $2 million upfront and could pay up to $206 million in potential development and sales milestone payments.

How will the new mAbs impact Corbus Pharmaceuticals' pipeline?

The new mAbs will diversify Corbus' immunology pipeline, adding to existing programs for inflammatory, fibrotic, and metabolic diseases as well as cancer.