Avenge Bio Announces Peer-Reviewed Publication on Preclinical Proof of Concept of LOCOCyte™ Platform Technology
NATICK, mass., March 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Avenge Bio, Inc., (“Avenge” or the “Company”) a biotechnology company developing LOCOCyte™ immunotherapy platform for precision delivery of potent immune effector molecules to treat solid tumors, a publication in the peer-reviewed journal announced today Scientists progress describing the basic preclinical research establishing the LOCOCyte™ proof-of-concept platform in animal models. The manuscript, titled “Clinically Translatable Cytokine Delivery Platform for Intraperitoneal Tumor Eradication“, was published today and can be viewed on the Scientists progress website.
Ovarian cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat. It is usually not detected until later stages and about 70% of patients will have a recurrence after initial treatment, which is often fatal. In addition, ovarian tumors produce fluid that makes it difficult to administer medication locally. To meet this challenge, a research team from rice university directed by Omid VeisehPh.D., has developed an innovative immunotherapy platform that allows engineered cells to produce immune-activating molecules, for a specified duration, in this fluid tumor microenvironment.
the Scientists progress the manuscript details the immunotherapy platform as well as its safety and efficacy in preclinical models. Human cells are engineered to produce murine immune cell signaling molecule interleukin-2 (IL2), a critical cytokine that elicits a robust localized immune response when administered into the intraperitoneal (IP) cavity of carrier mice tumors that model advanced ovarian cancer. Notably, 100% of mice showed a significant reduction in tumor burden after 30 days, compared to controls. The study also demonstrated that IL2 was localized to the IP cavity and that IL2 production was restricted to a 30-day window, suggesting minimal risk for systemic toxicities. Additionally, the study presents robust anti-tumor data in mice with colorectal cancer, demonstrating the broad potential of the immunotherapy platform. Studies in non-human primates have demonstrated similar proof-of-concept efficacy and safety, paving the way for clinical studies in humans.
“We are delighted to share this data with the scientific community. Ovarian cancer remains a significant clinical challenge, which has driven our team’s dedication to discovering and developing an innovative treatment approach,” said Dr. Veiseh, Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at rice university and a founder of Avenge Bio. “I am grateful to all the researchers and collaborators involved in this project, including Amanda Nash who worked on this project from the beginning. Amanda and I look forward to working with Avenge to bring this technology into the clinic to help patients in need.”
Avenge Bio has an exclusive license to rice university for this technology. Avenge has entered into discussions with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and plans to begin clinical studies in the second half of 2022.
“I would like to congratulate Omid and Amanda for this groundbreaking scientific work that culminated in this publication. These discoveries have the potential to dramatically change the treatment paradigm for certain solid tumors, including metastatic peritoneal cancers.” We have worked closely with Omid and his team to bring this technology into the clinic and look forward to its continued development,” said Michael HeffernanCEO of Avenge.
About Avenge Bio
Avenge Bio, Inc. (“Avenge”) is an oncology-focused biotechnology company that develops transformative cell-based immunotherapeutics for the treatment of refractory solid tumors by incorporating its LOCOCyte™ platform. The LOCOCyte™ platform leverages proprietary engineered cells delivered to the local tumor environment that generate high concentrations of immune effector molecules near the tumor. This initiates a robust, local and long-lasting systemic immune response while avoiding the toxicities associated with systemic immunotherapies. Avenge’s most advanced product candidate, AVB-001, produces native IL-2 immunotherapy and is initially being studied in metastatic peritoneal cancers such as ovarian cancer. Avenge has other candidates for the treatment of a wide range of cancers, including pancreatic, lung and breast cancers. Avenge was founded in 2019 based on technology developed in the lab of Omid Veisehdoctorate and has an exclusive license to rice university for this technology. In January 2022Avenge announced the closure of a $45 million Series A funding co-led by Perceptive Xontogeny Venture Fund and CAM Capital, with participation from sole seed investor Longitude Capital and new investors Rock Springs Capital and Pappas Capital. To learn more about Avenge, visit www.avengebio.com.
SOURCEAvenge Bio, Inc.
