Publication of Preclinical Data in Science Signaling Demonstrated the Potential of ITK Inhibition with Soquelitinib as a Novel Approach to Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases

Rhea-AI Summary

Corvus Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: CRVS) announced the publication of preclinical data in Science Signaling, demonstrating the potential of ITK inhibition with soquelitinib for treating inflammatory diseases. The study, conducted by Cornell University researchers, showed that ITK inhibition induces switching of proinflammatory Th17 cells into anti-inflammatory Treg cells, both in vitro and in vivo.

Key findings include:

• Dose-dependent inhibition of Th17 cell differentiation and increase in Foxp3+ Treg cells
• Switched Foxp3+ Treg cells suppress naïve T cell proliferation
• Significant reduction of Th17 cells in the lung in a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation

This research supports Corvus' view on the broad potential of ITK inhibition for treating autoimmune, allergic, and inflammatory diseases.

Positive

• Publication in peer-reviewed journal Science Signaling validates the potential of ITK inhibition
• Preclinical data demonstrates dual-effect mechanism: decreasing inflammatory Th17 cells and increasing anti-inflammatory Treg cells
• Soquelitinib showed efficacy in reducing inflammation in an in vivo asthma model
• Research supports potential applications in autoimmune, allergic, and inflammatory diseases

Negative

• None.

Medical Research Analyst

This publication in Science Signaling represents a significant advancement in understanding the mechanism of action of ITK inhibition, particularly with soquelitinib. The data provides compelling evidence for the potential of ITK inhibitors in treating inflammatory diseases, which could have far-reaching implications for Corvus Pharmaceuticals.

Key findings include:

• ITK inhibition induces a switch from proinflammatory Th17 cells to anti-inflammatory Treg cells
• Soquelitinib demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of Th17 cell differentiation and increased Foxp3+ Treg cells
• In vivo studies showed reduced inflammation in an asthma model by increasing the Treg to Th17 cell ratio in the lungs

These results are particularly exciting as they suggest a dual mechanism of action: not only reducing inflammatory cells but also increasing anti-inflammatory cells. This could potentially lead to more effective treatments for a range of autoimmune, allergic and inflammatory diseases.

However, it's important to note that these are preclinical results. While promising, further clinical studies will be necessary to confirm these effects in humans and establish safety and efficacy profiles. The translation from animal models to human patients is not always straightforward, especially in complex immune-mediated diseases.

Nevertheless, this publication in a prestigious journal by respected researchers at Cornell University lends significant credibility to Corvus' approach and may attract increased attention from both the scientific community and potential investors or partners in the pharmaceutical industry.

Financial Analyst

From a financial perspective, this preclinical data publication is a positive development for Corvus Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: CRVS). While it doesn't directly impact current revenues, it significantly enhances the company's intellectual property and potential market value.

Key financial implications include:

• Increased validation of Corvus' research direction, potentially attracting more investor interest
• Enhanced potential for partnerships or licensing agreements with larger pharmaceutical companies
• Possible expansion of the addressable market for soquelitinib beyond its current oncology and immunology indications
• Potential for increased R&D investment to accelerate development in inflammatory disease indications

However, investors should be cautious. Despite the promising results, the path from preclinical studies to marketable drugs is long, expensive and risky. Many promising candidates fail in later-stage clinical trials or face regulatory hurdles.

Additionally, while this news might lead to a short-term boost in stock price, the long-term financial impact will depend on successful clinical trials and eventual commercialization. Corvus will likely need to secure additional funding to support expanded clinical programs, which could lead to dilution for current shareholders.

In conclusion, while this news strengthens Corvus' position in the competitive biotech landscape, investors should view it as a positive step in a long journey rather than an immediate game-changer for the company's financial position.

Data demonstrated in vitro and in vivo ITK inhibition with soquelitinib induced switching of proinflammatory Th₁₇ cells into anti-inflammatory T_reg cells

Publication confirms and extends understanding of ITK inhibition mechanism of action and its potential in inflammatory autoimmune and allergic diseases

Data published by leading researchers from Cornell University in peer-reviewed journal Science Signaling

BURLINGAME, Calif., July 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Corvus or the Company) (Nasdaq: CRVS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced data published by leading researchers from Cornell University (Cornell) in Science Signaling, a peer-reviewed journal, that further corroborates Corvus’ views of the potential of ITK inhibition as a novel approach to treating inflammatory diseases. Researchers at Cornell utilized soquelitinib (formerly CPI-818), the Company’s selective ITK inhibitor, to demonstrate in vitro and in vivo that ITK inhibition induces switching of proinflammatory Th₁₇ cells into anti-inflammatory T_reg suppressor cells. The article states “The findings of this study provide greater insight into how ITK controls the Th₁₇ and T_reg dichotomy, and these findings could have broader implications for immune disorders with an imbalance of Th₁₇ and T_reg.”

“The results published by the Avery Lab at Cornell University expands upon our knowledge of the mechanism of action of ITK inhibition in immunology. The results confirm the broad potential for ITK inhibition to treat a range of indications,” said James Rosenbaum, M.D., senior vice president of research at Corvus. “Importantly, their data demonstrated that the mechanism has a dual-effect, decreasing inflammatory Th₁₇ cells by converting them into anti-inflammatory T_reg cells. This conversion is highly relevant for autoimmune, allergic and inflammatory diseases. This was elegantly demonstrated in an in vivo asthma model of allergic airway inflammation in which treatment with soquelitinib reduced inflammation by increasing the ratio of T_reg to Th₁₇ cells in the lungs.”

The article titled “The kinase ITK controls a Ca²⁺-mediated switch that balances Th₁₇ and T_reg cell differentiation” was published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Signaling and is available for viewing at DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.adh2381. The senior author is Avery August, Ph.D., Professor of Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. August’s research group focuses on the tyrosine kinases in the regulation of the immune response and the role of intracellular signaling in regulating T cell differentiation and cytokine production, particularly inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Key results from the third-party preclinical studies described in the article demonstrated that soquelitinib had the following observed effects in vitro and in in vivo models of inflammatory disease:

• ITK controls the switch between Th₁₇ and Foxp3+ T_reg cells
• In in vitro experiments, ITK inhibition with soquelitinib results in dose dependent inhibition of Th₁₇ cell differentiation along with an increase in Foxp3+ T_reg cells
• Switched Foxp3+ T_reg cells suppress naïve T cell proliferation and behave like true T_reg cells
• Soquelitinib treatment of mice with allergic (house dust mite) airway inflammation significantly reduced the percentage of Th₁₇ cells in the lung resulting in an increase in the ratio of T_reg to Th₁₇ cells

Corvus’ ITK inhibitors include soquelitinib, which was used in the preclinical studies described in the article, and several next-generation molecules that are being optimized [in preclinical studies] for use in a variety of inflammatory and immune disease indications. Soquelitinib is currently in clinical trials for oncology and immunology indications.

About Corvus Pharmaceuticals
Corvus Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of ITK inhibition as a new approach to immunotherapy for a broad range of cancer and immune diseases. The Company’s lead product candidate is soquelitinib, an investigational, oral, small molecule drug that selectively inhibits ITK. Its other clinical-stage candidates are being developed for a variety of cancer indications. For more information, visit www.corvuspharma.com.

About Soquelitinib
Soquelitinib (formerly CPI-818) is an investigational small molecule drug given orally designed to selectively inhibit ITK (interleukin-2-inducible T cell kinase), an enzyme that is expressed predominantly in T cells and plays a role in T cell and natural killer (NK) cell immune function. Based on interim results from a Phase 1/1b clinical trial in patients with refractory T cell lymphomas, which demonstrated tumor responses in very advanced, refractory, difficult to treat T cell malignancies, the Company plans to initiate a registrational Phase 3 clinical trial of soquelitinib in patients with relapsed PTCL. Soquelitinib also is now being investigated in a randomized placebo controlled phase 1 clinical trial in patients with atopic dermatitis. The immunologic effects of soquelitinib lead to what is known as Th₁ skewing and inhibition of Th₂ and Th₁₇ cells. Research on soquelitinib’s mechanism of action suggests that it has the potential to control differentiation of normal T helper cells and enhance immune responses to tumors by augmenting the generation of cytotoxic killer T cells and the production of cytokines that inhibit cancer cell survival. Soquelitinib has also been shown to prevent T cell exhaustion, a major limitation of current immunotherapy and CAR-T therapies. Soquelitinib has been shown to affect T cell differentiation and induce the generation of Th₁ helper cells while blocking the development of both Th₂ and Th₁₇ cells and production of their secreted cytokines. Th₁ T cells are required for immunity to tumors, viral infections and other infectious diseases. Th₂ and Th₁₇ helper T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune and allergic diseases. The Company believes the inhibition of specific molecular targets in T cells may be of therapeutic benefit for patients with cancers, including solid tumors, and in patients with autoimmune and allergic diseases.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements related to the potential efficacy of the Company’s product candidates including soquelitinib; and the broad potential of soquelitinib to treat a variety of indications. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. These statements often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “seek,” “will,” “may” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the Company’s control. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to, risks detailed in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2024, as well as other documents that may be filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, the following factors, among others, could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements: the Company’s ability to demonstrate sufficient evidence of efficacy and safety in its clinical trials of soquelitinib and its other product candidates; the results of preclinical studies, including preclinical studies conducted by third-parties using the Company’s product candidates, and interim data from clinical trials not being predictive of future results; the Company’s ability to enroll sufficient numbers of patients in its clinical trials; the unpredictability of the regulatory process; regulatory developments in the United States, and other foreign countries; and the costs of clinical trials may exceed expectations. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee that the events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur, and the timing of events and circumstances and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All such statements speak only as of the date made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

INVESTOR CONTACT:
Leiv Lea
Chief Financial Officer
Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
+1-650-900-4522
llea@corvuspharma.com

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sheryl Seapy
Real Chemistry
+1-949-903-4750
sseapy@realchemistry.com

FAQ

What is the main finding of the Corvus Pharmaceuticals (CRVS) preclinical study on soquelitinib?

The main finding is that ITK inhibition with soquelitinib induces switching of proinflammatory Th17 cells into anti-inflammatory Treg cells, both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting potential for treating inflammatory diseases.

How did soquelitinib perform in the allergic airway inflammation model for Corvus Pharmaceuticals (CRVS)?

In a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation, soquelitinib treatment significantly reduced the percentage of Th17 cells in the lung, resulting in an increased ratio of Treg to Th17 cells.

What are the potential applications of Corvus Pharmaceuticals' (CRVS) ITK inhibitors based on the preclinical data?

The preclinical data suggests potential applications for Corvus Pharmaceuticals' ITK inhibitors in treating a range of autoimmune, allergic, and inflammatory diseases.

Where was the preclinical research on Corvus Pharmaceuticals' (CRVS) soquelitinib conducted?

The preclinical research on soquelitinib was conducted by leading researchers from Cornell University and published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Signaling.