Scholar Rock to Develop Cancer Immunotherapy Product Candidate, SRK-181, a Selective Inhibitor of TGFβ1 Activation, to Overcome Checkpoint Inhibitor Resistance
Selective inhibition of TGFβ1 activation enables immune cell entry into the tumor microenvironment in preclinical models, demonstrating potential for overcoming a key mechanism of primary resistance to cancer immunotherapies
Company advances immuno-oncology candidate based on strength of preclinical data and human translational insights, with plans to initiate a Phase 1 trial in patients with solid tumors in mid-2020
“Given that a majority of cancer patients fail to respond to checkpoint blockade therapies, we are eager to advance the next product candidate from our pipeline of growth factor modulators to potentially address a key mechanism of pre-existing resistance,” said Nagesh Mahanthappa, Ph.D., President and CEO of
SRK-181 is a fully human antibody designed to bind to, and prevent the activation of, latent TGFβ1 with high affinity and high selectivity, as evidenced by minimal or no binding to latent TGFβ2 and latent TGFβ3 isoforms. Several important factors led to the decision to advance SRK-181 as a clinical development product candidate for the treatment of tumors resistant to checkpoint blockade therapies (CBTs), such as anti-PD1 antibodies. These factors include:
- TGFβ signaling has been implicated as a culprit in primary resistance to CBTs in multiple peer-reviewed studies.
- Translational data analyses by
Scholar Rock highlight the prominent expression of TGFβ1 in many human tumor types, such as bladder cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma, for which CBTs have either been approved or demonstrated clinical activity in trials. - Clinical correlation and preclinical model data suggest that TGFβ1 excludes effector cell entry into the tumor, thereby limiting immune system access to tumor cells.
- Preclinical studies in syngeneic mouse tumor models resistant to CBT show SRK-181-mIgG1 (the murine version of SRK-181), when combined with anti-PD1 antibodies, permitted effector T cell infiltration and expansion into the tumor microenvironment and led to tumor regression or control as well as significant survival benefit.
- A 28-day pilot toxicology study of SRK-181 in adult rats showed no observed drug-related toxicity up to a weekly dose of 100 mg/kg for 4 weeks.
Detailed preclinical results for SRK-181-mIgG1 (formerly referred to as SRTβ1-Ab3) were presented at the
About SRK-181
SRK-181 is a highly specific inhibitor of TGFβ1 activation being developed to overcome primary resistance to checkpoint blockade therapies (CBTs). TGFβ1 is the predominant TGFβ isoform expressed in many human tumors, particularly for those tumors where checkpoint therapies are currently approved. Based on analyses of human tumors that are resistant to CBT, TGFβ1 is implicated as a key contributor to exclude immune cell entry into the tumor microenvironment, thereby preventing normal immune function. By overcoming this immune cell exclusion, SRK-181 has the potential to induce tumor regression when administered in conjunction with CBT.
About Scholar Rock
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Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding Scholar Rock’s future expectations, plans and prospects, including without limitation, Scholar Rock’s expectations regarding the potential of SRK-181 in cancer immunotherapy and the timeline for and progress in developing SRK-181. The use of words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “future,” “potential,” or “continue,” and other similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include the risks that preclinical data and testing of SRK-181 may not be predictive of the results or success of clinical trials, the development of SRK-181 will take longer and/or cost more than planned, SRK-181 will not receive regulatory approval and those risks more fully discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Scholar Rock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in Scholar Rock’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements represent Scholar Rock’s views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Scholar Rock undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law.
Scholar Rock Contact: Investors/MediaCatherine Hu chu@scholarrock.com 917-601-1649 Media Contact: The Yates NetworkKathryn Morris kathryn@theyatesnetwork.com 914-204-6412
Source: Scholar Rock