Surface Oncology to Present Preclinical Data for Lead Clinical Programs at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer 2021 Annual Meeting

Rhea-AI Summary

Surface Oncology (Nasdaq: SURF) announced the presentation of preclinical data on its clinical-stage antibody therapies, SRF617 and SRF388, at the SITC 2021 Annual Meeting from November 10-14, 2021. Both therapies are under Phase 1 clinical studies, targeting CD39 and IL-27, respectively. Key presentations will include a poster on SRF617's inhibition of CD39 and another on IL-27's role in cancer progression. SRF617 is granted Orphan Drug status for advanced pancreatic cancer, while SRF388 has similar designations for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Positive

• Presentation of preclinical data at the SITC 2021 Annual Meeting highlights the progress of SRF617 and SRF388.
• SRF617 has shown strong affinity and anti-tumor activity in preclinical studies.
• SRF388 is noted for blocking immunosuppressive effects and has potential biomarker identification.

Negative

• No specific financial metrics or clinical trial timelines were provided, which may concern investors.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Surface Oncology (Nasdaq: SURF), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing next-generation immunotherapies that target the tumor microenvironment, today announced that scientific posters sharing preclinical data will be presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 2021 Annual Meeting, to be held virtually and at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. November 10-14, 2021.

The posters include preclinical data from Surface Oncology’s two lead clinical-stage antibody therapies: SRF617 (targeting CD39) and SRF388 (targeting IL-27), both of which are in Phase 1 clinical studies. Surface scientists will be in attendance on-site in Washington D.C. to present the data. Full posters will be placed on Surface Oncology’s website following the presentations.   Details are provided below; full posters will be placed on Surface Oncology’s website following the presentations.

Details of Surface’s SITC presentations:

Presentation Type: Poster Presentation (Abstract: 247)
Title: The fully human antibody SRF617 is a potent inhibitor of ecto-enzyme CD39 in vivo
Session: Poster Hall Session
Lead Author: Stephan Matissek, Ph.D. and Ricard Masia, M.D., Ph.D.
Presentation Date and Time: November 12, 2021 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Presentation Type: Poster Presentation (Abstract: 674)
Title: IL-27 signaling drives a type 1 interferon-like gene expression program of immunoregulatory pathways associated with cancer progression
Session: Poster Hall Session
Lead Author: Devapregasan Moodley, M.D.
Presentation Date and Time: November 13, 2021 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

About SRF617:
SRF617 is a fully human antibody designed to inhibit the enzymatic activity of CD39 in the tumor microenvironment, allowing for a dual mechanism of action to promote anti-tumor immunity via reduction of immunosuppressive adenosine in addition to increasing levels of immunostimulatory ATP. A substantial body of research supports a role for CD39 in allowing cancer to evade immune responses. For example, pancreatic cancer stromal cells within the tumor micro-environment express high levels of CD39 which may inhibit anti-cancer immune responses. In preclinical studies, SRF617 has exhibited strong affinity for and inhibition of CD39, the ability to reduce adenosine and increase ATP levels and anti-tumor activity both as a single agent and in combination with multiple therapeutic agents. SRF617 has been granted Orphan Drug designation for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer by the FDA.

About SRF388:
SRF388 is a fully human anti-IL-27 antibody designed to inhibit the activity of this immunosuppressive cytokine. Surface Oncology has identified particular tumor types, including liver, kidney and lung cancer, where IL-27 appears to play an important role in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and may contribute to resistance to treatment with checkpoint inhibitors. SRF388 targets the rate-limiting p28 subunit of IL-27, and preclinical studies have shown that treatment with SRF388 blocks the immuno-suppressive biologic effects of IL-27, resulting in immune cell activation in combination with other cancer therapies including anti-PD-1 therapy, as well as potent anti-tumor effects as a monotherapy. Furthermore, Surface Oncology has identified a potential biomarker associated with IL-27 that may be useful in helping to identify patients most likely to respond to SRF388. In November 2020, Surface announced that SRF388 was granted Orphan Drug designation and Fast Track designation for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma from the FDA.

About Surface Oncology:
Surface Oncology is an immuno-oncology company developing next-generation antibody therapies focused on the tumor microenvironment. Its pipeline includes two wholly-owned clinical-stage programs targeting CD39 (SRF617) and IL-27 (SRF388), as well as a preclinical program focused on depleting tumor regulatory T cells via targeting CCR8 (SRF114). In addition, Surface has two partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies: a collaboration with Novartis targeting CD73 (NZV930; Phase 1) and a collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline targeting PVRIG (SRF813; preclinical). Surface’s novel cancer immunotherapies are designed to achieve a clinically meaningful and sustained anti-tumor response and may be used alone or in combination with other therapies. For more information, please visit www.surfaceoncology.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements set forth in this press release constitute “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “believes,” “expects,” “plans,” “potential,” “would” or similar expressions, and the negative of those terms. These forward-looking statements are based on Surface Oncology’s management’s current beliefs and assumptions about future events and on information currently available to management.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Surface Oncology’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to Surface Oncology’s ability to successfully develop SRF388, SRF617, SRF114 and its other product candidates through current and future milestones or regulatory filings on the anticipated timeline, if at all, the therapeutic potential of Surface Oncology’s product candidates, the risk that results from preclinical studies or early clinical trials may not be representative of larger clinical trials, the risk that Surface Oncology’s product candidates, including SRF388, SRF617 and SRF114, will not be successfully developed or commercialized, the risks related to Surface Oncology’s dependence on third-parties in connection with its manufacturing, clinical trials and preclinical studies, and the potential impact of COVID-19 on Surface Oncology’s clinical and preclinical development timelines and results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties that could affect Surface Oncology’s future results are included in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2020 available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov and Surface Oncology’s website at www.surfaceoncology.com.

Additional information on potential risks will be made available in other filings that Surface Oncology makes from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on assumptions that Surface Oncology believes to be reasonable as of this date. Except as required by law, Surface Oncology assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons if actual results differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.

Contacts:

Investors
Laurence Watts
Gilmartin Group
619-916-7620
laurence@gilmartinir.com

or

Stephen Jasper
Gilmartin Group
858-525-2047
stephen@gilmartinir.com

Media
Chris Railey
chris@tenbridgecommunications.com
617-834-0936

FAQ

What is the significance of Surface Oncology's SRF617 therapy?

SRF617 is designed to inhibit CD39, promoting anti-tumor immunity, and has been granted Orphan Drug status for advanced pancreatic cancer.

What presentations will Surface Oncology make at the SITC 2021 Annual Meeting?

Surface Oncology will present posters on SRF617's inhibition of CD39 and the role of IL-27 in cancer progression.

When will Surface's data from the SITC 2021 Annual Meeting be available?

Full posters will be made available on Surface Oncology's website after the presentations on November 12 and 13, 2021.

What is the current status of SRF388 in clinical trials?

SRF388 is currently in Phase 1 clinical studies and is recognized for its potential effects against immunosuppressive tumor environments.

How does Surface Oncology's research impact investors?

The presentation of preclinical data can influence investor confidence in the potential market viability of Surface's therapies.