Both firms will assess BI-1206 in combination with rituximab and Calquence to treat patients with follicular lymphoma who have progressed or are refractory to rituximab
An image of BioInvent’s scientist working in lab. (Credit: BioInvent)
BioInvent has signed a clinical supply agreement with AstraZeneca to evaluate the former’s anti-FcyRIIB antibody, BI-1206, in the ongoing Phase 1/2a clinical study in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).
BI-1206 is an advanced drug candidate being developed to re-establish the clinical effect of current cancer therapies like pembrolizumab and rituximab. It is also being assessed for the treatment of solid tumours.
Both firms will assess BI-1206 in combination with rituximab and Calquence (acalabrutinib), a selective inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK).
According to the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca will provide Calquence in the ongoing trial to treat patients with follicular lymphoma who have progressed or are refractory to rituximab.
BioInvent CEO Martin Welschof said: “Having already shown the benefits of combining BI-1206 with rituximab, we believe the addition of Calquence for a triplet combination could further improve clinical outcomes for patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, including follicular lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma.
“We are extremely pleased to be entering into this supply agreement with AstraZeneca that allows us to explore a potential new, chemo-free, treatment option for these patients.”
The Phase 1 part of the trial assessed intravenously (IV) administered BI-1206 and showed positive early signs of clinical efficacy.
Patients are now being enrolled in the Phase 2a IV dose expansion cohort, which will attempt to enrol patients who will receive triplet treatment.
Sweden-based BioInvent is also developing a subcutaneous (SC) version of BI-1206. The expansion cohort is anticipated to recruit around 30 patients at sites in Sweden, Spain, the US, and Brazil.
The company is engaged in the development and discovery of immuno-modulatory antibodies for cancer therapy.
It currently has five drug candidates in six ongoing clinical programmes in Phase 1/2 studies to treat haematological cancer and solid tumours.
In 2022, BioInvent partnered with US-based Exelixis to identify and develop novel antibodies for immuno-oncology therapeutics.