Sosei Confirms New Data Demonstrating AZD4635, a Novel A2A Receptor Antagonist, Induces Anti-Tumor Immunity Alone & in Combin...
18 Aprile 2018 - 9:23AM
Business Wire
New data presented at 2018 AACR
Meeting
Sosei Group Corporation (“Sosei” or the “Company”; TSE Mothers
Index: 4565), the world leader in GPCR medicine design and
development, announces that new preclinical data for AZD4635 was
presented by AstraZeneca in a poster (abstract 3751) yesterday at
the American Association of Cancer Research Annual Meeting, 17
April 2018; Chicago, IL, USA.
AZD4635 is a potent and selective, orally available, small
molecule adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) antagonist. It was
discovered by Sosei’s wholly-owned subsidiary Heptares Therapeutics
and AstraZeneca licensed exclusive global rights to the molecule in
2015.
The poster is entitled “Inhibition of A2AR by AZD4635 induces
anti-tumor immunity alone and in combination with anti-PD-L1 in
preclinical models,” and highlighted the following results:
- Adenosine signalling through the A2AR
results in a range of immunosuppressive effects which can promote
tumour growth
- AZD4635 is an oral, specific A2AR
antagonist that is demonstrated to reverse adenosine mediated T
cell suppression.
- Treatment with AZD4635 alone and in
combination with an anti-PD-L1 antibody led to a significant
reduction in tumour growth in syngeneic tumour models exhibiting
both high and low levels of adenosine
- These effects were absent in
immune-deficient animals confirming the immune-mediated mechanism
of action. Further exploration of target engagement by AZD4635 is
ongoing.
- These data suggest that AZD4635 has the
potential to restore immune responsiveness resulting in anti-tumour
benefits alone and in combination with other cancer immunotherapies
irrespective of the background tumour adenosine levels
AZD4635 is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial as a single
agent and in combination with AstraZeneca’s anti-PD-L1 antibody
IMFINZI® (durvalumab) in patients with solid malignancies
(NCT02740985).
Notes to Editors
About AZD4635
AZD4635 is a potent and selective, orally available, small
molecule adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) antagonist discovered by
Sosei subsidiary Heptares Therapeutics and licensed to AstraZeneca
in 2015. High levels of adenosine are found in tumour
microenvironments and benefit the progression of cancer. By
activating the adenosine A2A receptor increased adenosine levels
impair T-cell function and result in suppression of the host immune
response. AZD4635 specifically blocks adenosine signalling via the
A2A receptor signalling resulting in increased immune
responsiveness and potential to destroy cancer cells and decrease
tumour burden, A2A receptor antagonism can therefore promote the
anti-cancer response of T-cells within the tumour microenvironment,
offering a novel mechanism of action as a mono- or combination
therapy.
About Sosei
Sosei is an international biopharmaceutical company focused on
the design and development of new medicines originating from its
proprietary GPCR-targeted StaR® technology and structure-based drug
design platform capabilities. The Company is advancing a broad and
deep pipeline of partnered and wholly owned product candidates in
multiple therapeutic areas, including CNS, cancer, metabolic
diseases and other rare/specialty indications. The Company’s
leading clinical programs include a proprietary Phase 2 candidate
for dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) in Japan, together with
partnered candidates aimed at the symptomatic treatment of
Alzheimer’s disease (with Allergan) and immuno-oncology approaches
to treat cancer (with AstraZeneca). Sosei’s additional partners and
collaborators include Novartis, Pfizer, Daiichi-Sankyo, PeptiDream,
Kymab and MorphoSys. The Company is headquartered in Japan with
R&D facilities in the UK.
Sosei is listed on the Mothers Index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange
(ticker: 4565). For more information, please visit
http://www.sosei.com/en/.
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements,
including statements about the discovery, development and
commercialization of products. Various risks may cause Sosei’s
actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied
by the forward-looking statements, including: adverse results in
clinical development programs; failure to obtain patent protection
for inventions; commercial limitations imposed by patents owned or
controlled by third parties; dependence upon strategic alliance
partners to develop and commercialize products and services;
difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market
products and services resulting from development efforts; the
requirement for substantial funding to conduct research and
development and to expand commercialization activities; and product
initiatives by competitors. As a result of these factors,
prospective investors are cautioned not to rely on any
forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation
to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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Sosei Group CorporationChris Cargill, +44 (0)7912 892 199Head of
Investor Relations and Corporate
Communicationsccargill@sosei.comorSosei Group CorporationHarumi
Banse, +81 3 5210 3399Corporate Communications
(Japan)hbanse@sosei.comorCitigate Dewe Rogerson (for International
media)Mark Swallow, David Dible, +44 (0)20 7638
9571sosei@citigatedewerogerson.com