Pre-clinical data demonstrates first-in-class MERTK selective inhibitor with novel mechanism of action
Rgenix has initiated IND-enabling studies of RGX-019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York, NY – April 3, 2019 – Rgenix, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class small molecule and antibody cancer therapeutics, announced today it is presenting pre-clinical data from ongoing research of RGX-019, a monoclonal antibody that targets MERTK, for the treatment of advanced cancer. In a presentation of a late-breaking abstract, “Characterization of the anti-cancer and immunologic activity of RGX-019, a novel pre-clinical stage humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the MERTK receptor”, which was accepted for the 2019 American Association of Cancer Research Annual Meeting, Isabel Kurth Ph.D., Rgenix VP of Research, discussed data showing RGX-019 to be a potent and selective inhibitor of MERTK signaling, resulting in suppression of cancer growth and activation of the innate immune response.
RGX-019 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively targets MERTK, a receptor tyrosine kinase of the TYRO3/AXL/MERTK (TAM) family. MERTK is expressed in immune cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells and NK cells, and is also overexpressed in a wide variety of liquid and solid cancers.
Activation of MERTK on cancer cells via ligand binding activates several tumor-promoting signaling pathways, stimulating tumor proliferation, migration and angiogenesis, and decreasing apoptosis and chemosensitivity. When activated on macrophages, MERTK promotes an immune-suppressive M2 phenotype.
RGX-019 binds to human MERTK with high affinity and selectivity, without detectible binding to other related TAM kinases. RGX-019 has a unique mechanism of action that not only leads to blockade of ligand binding, but also to MERTK degradation via receptor internalization.
This novel mechanism of action leads to inhibition of cancer growth in vitro and in vivo as well as activation of M1 (pro-inflammatory) cytokine release from immune-suppressive M2 macrophages.
Masoud Tavazoie, MD, PhD, and Chief Executive Officer of Rgenix, said, “We are excited to have an opportunity to reveal the pre-clinical data that demonstrates the positive progress we are making with the development of RGX-019, our third proprietary program. The ability of RGX-019 to selectivity degrade MERTK in cancers cells and M2 macrophages provides a distinct advantages over current small-molecule approaches to targeting MERTK which are hampered by off-target binding to other related kinases. This data provides a strong foundation for IND enabling studies.”
Sohail Tavazoie, MD, PhD, and Chair of Rgenix’s Scientific Advisory Board, said, “RGX-019 shows great potential as a cancer therapeutic and its ability to selectively modulate both cancer growth and innate immune activation is illustrative of that possibility. We look forward to continuing our research on this antibody and its impact on various MERTK expressing cancers.”
About Rgenix
Rgenix, Inc., is a privately-held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel cancer drugs that target key pathways in cancer progression. The company is pursuing several first-in-class drug candidates to treat cancers of high unmet need. Rgenix identifies novel cancer targets using a microRNA based target discovery platform originally developed by Rgenix’s scientific co-founders at The Rockefeller University and now exclusively licensed to Rgenix. The company brings together distinguished scientific founders, a seasoned Board, and a leadership team comprised of experienced drug developers. The company is funded by leading biotechnology investors, including Novo Holdings A/S, Sofinnova Partners, Lepu Holdings Limited, Oceanpine Capital, WuXi PharmaTech Healthcare Fund I, LP, Alexandria Venture Investments,LLC, and the Partnership Fund for New York City. For more information, please visit www.rgenix.com.
About RGX-019
RGX-019 is an investigational drug candidate and a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets MERTK being developed by Rgenix for the treatment of advanced cancer. Rgenix in-licensed RGX-019 related antibody intellectual property from Rockefeller University as part of a world-wide exclusive licensing agreement.
MERTK is a receptor tyrosine kinase of the TAM family and is over-expressed in several human cancers. The MERTK pathway drives cancer progression, tumor angiogenesis, and innate immune suppression. Targeting MERTK inhibits the growth of MERTK-expressing cancer cells and induces an M1 pro-inflammatory cytokine expression profile in tumor-associated macrophages. Rgenix has initiated IND-enabling studies of RGX-019.
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