GT Biopharma Announces FDA Clearance of Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for GTB-3650, an NK Cell Engager for Treatment of CD33+ Leukemia
GT Biopharma (NASDAQ: GTBP), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company, has announced FDA clearance for its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for GTB-3650, a novel NK cell engager targeting CD33+ leukemia. The Phase 1 trial for GTB-3650 is set to begin in the second half of 2024, with initial clinical data expected in the first half of 2025. Additionally, GT Biopharma plans to submit an IND for GTB-5550, targeting B7H3 positive solid tumors, in Q1 2025, with the corresponding Phase 1 trial expected to start later in 2025. The current cash runway is expected to fund operations into 2025. GTB-3650 will be assessed in a dose-escalation study involving adult patients with relapsed or refractory CD33 expressing hematologic malignancies, including AML and high-risk MDS. The study will evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, NK cell expansion, and clinical activity.
- FDA clearance for GTB-3650 IND application.
- Phase 1 trial for GTB-3650 expected to start in H2 2024.
- Initial clinical data for GTB-3650 expected in H1 2025.
- Planned IND submission for GTB-5550 in Q1 2025.
- GTB-5550 Phase 1 trial initiation expected in 2025.
- Cash runway anticipated to fund operations into 2025.
- None.
Insights
The FDA clearance of GTB-3650’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application is a significant milestone for GT Biopharma. GTB-3650, being an NK cell engager for the treatment of CD33+ leukemia, represents a novel approach in hematologic oncology. NK cells are pivotal players in the immune system, responsible for identifying and destroying malignant cells. By engaging NK cells specifically against CD33+ leukemia cells, GTB-3650 could potentially offer a more targeted and effective treatment compared to traditional chemotherapies, which often come with substantial side effects.
This trial will provide early insights into its safety profile and initial efficacy, which will be critical for future development. The inclusion of multiple cohorts in the Phase 1 trial also suggests a comprehensive approach to understand different patient responses and optimize dosage. If successful, this could set a new standard in AML and high-risk MDS treatments, offering hope where current therapies fall short.
The announcement indicates a potentially strong financial outlook for GT Biopharma. The clearance allows the company to initiate the Phase 1 trial of GTB-3650, showing regulatory progress which is essential for investor confidence. Additionally, the company's cash runway, which is projected to fund operations into 2025, provides a positive signal about their financial health and planning. This financial stability is important especially for a clinical-stage company involved in expensive drug development processes.
Moreover, the anticipated submission of the IND for GTB-5550 and the upcoming trials in 2025 signal potential future value generation. These milestones are likely to keep investor interest high, provided the clinical outcomes are favorable. Investors should, however, balance this optimism with the inherent risks associated with clinical trials, which can often be unpredictable and resource-intensive.
The competitive landscape in oncology is intense, but GT Biopharma’s TriKE® platform could carve out a significant niche if successful. The company's focus on both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors (with GTB-5550 targeting multiple types) is a strategic move to diversify their pipeline and mitigate risks associated with single-product focus. The planned trials for GTB-5550 in 2025, spanning multiple solid tumor cancers, indicate an ambitious and potentially high-reward strategy.
From a market perspective, the ability to target multiple indications can position GT Biopharma as a versatile player in the oncology space. However, the key for retail investors will be to monitor the clinical trial outcomes and regulatory milestones closely. Positive results could significantly enhance GT Biopharma's market value and competitive standing.
- GTB-3650 Phase 1 trial initiation expected in H2 2024; initial clinical data expected in H1 2025
- GTB-5550 TriKE® IND submission for treatment of B7H3 positive solid tumors expected in Q1 2025
- GTB-5550 Phase 1 dose escalation basket trial initiation expected in 2025 evaluating GTB-5550 in six solid tumor cancers, including prostate, breast, head and neck, ovarian, lung, and GI
- Cash runway anticipated to be sufficient to fund operations into 2025
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, June 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GT Biopharma, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GTBP), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company focused on developing innovative therapeutics based on the Company's proprietary natural killer (NK) cell engager, TriKE® platform, today announced FDA clearance of its IND application for GTB-3650, allowing the company to proceed with a Phase 1 clinical trial, which is anticipated to start in second half of 2024.
“FDA clearance for GTB-3650 is a tremendous accomplishment and we look forward to submitting our next IND in the first quarter of 2025 for GTB-5550, which will target multiple solid tumors”, said Michael Breen, Executive Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer of GT Biopharma. “As we ramp up our clinical activities, we plan to start the Phase 1 trial with GTB-3650 in the coming months followed by multiple data readouts in 2025. We also expect to start a basket trial with GTB-5550 for multiple solid tumors in 2025 and remain very enthusiastic in our pursuit of additional opportunities for various autoimmune indications where our TriKE’s may have therapeutic utility.”
The Phase 1 dose escalation study will evaluate GTB-3650 in up to six cohorts of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) CD33 expressing hematologic malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). GTB-3650 will be dosed in two-week blocks, two weeks on and two weeks off for up to four months based on clinical benefit. The trial will assess safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, in vivo expansion of endogenous patient NK cells and clinical activity.
“GTB-3650 is designed to target NK cells within the immune system to potentially overcome many of the limitations of current AML chemotherapies,” said Michael Breen. “Our trial design should give us an early read on safety and potential therapeutic activity and also provide valuable learnings that we can translate into our clinical development plans for follow-on TriKE molecules, including GTB-5550.”
About Camelid Antibodies
Camelid antibodies are single domain antibodies (sdAbs) from the Camelidae family of mammals that include llamas, camels, and alpacas. These animals produce two main types of antibodies. One type of antibody camelids produce is the conventional antibody that is made up of two heavy chains and two light chains. They also produce another type of antibody that is made up of only two heavy chains and no light chain. This is known as heavy chain IgG (hcIgG). While these antibodies do not contain the CH1 region, they retain an antigen binding domain called the VHH region. VHH antibodies, also known as single domain antibodies, contain only the VHH region from the camelid antibody. Camelid antibodies have key characteristics, which include high affinity and specificity (equivalent to conventional antibodies), high thermostability, good solubility and strictly monomeric behavior, small size, relatively low production cost, ease of genetic engineering, format flexibility or modularity, low immunogenicity, and a higher penetration rate into tissues.
About GT Biopharma, Inc.
GT Biopharma, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of immuno-oncology therapeutic products based on our proprietary tri-specific killer engager (TriKE®) platform, which is designed to harness and enhance the cancer killing abilities of a patient’s own natural killer (NK) cells. Each TriKE construct consist of three parts: 1) an arm that engages with CD16, an activating receptor of NK cells, 2) an interleukin (IL)-15 moiety that is essential for NK cell survival, proliferation, priming and motility, and 3) an arm that binds to tumor-specific antigens. GT Biopharma has an exclusive worldwide license agreement with the University of Minnesota to further develop and commercialize therapies using TriKE® technology. For more information, please visit gtbiopharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" regarding future events and our future results. All statements other than statements of historical facts are statements that could be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the markets in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "targets," "goals," "projects", "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "endeavors," "strives," "may," or variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, estimate or verify. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include those factors described in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as such may be amended or supplemented by subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, or other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding initiating clinical trials, expected clinical data, expected IND application submissions, expected dose escalation basket trial initiation and cash runway. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements. For more information, please refer to our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
TriKE® is a registered trademark owned by GT Biopharma, Inc.
Investor Relations Contact:
LifeSci Advisors
Corey Davis, Ph.D.
cdavis@lifesciadvisors.com
212-915-2577
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