Innovent Announces First Patient Dosed in the Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Anti-CD47/PD-L1 Bispecific Antibody in China

Innovent Biologics, Inc. announced that the first patient has been successfully dosed in a Phase 1 clinical trial (CIBI322A101) of the potentially first-in-class recombinant anti-CD47/PD-L1 bispecific antibody (IBI322) in China.

CIBI322A101 is a Phase 1a/1b clinical study conducted in China to evaluate IBI322 in the treatment of patients with advanced malignancies. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and initial anti-tumor efficacy of IBI322 in patients with advanced malignancies who have failed standard therapy.

IBI322 is a recombinant anti-CD47/PD-L1 bispecific antibody that blocks both the PD-1/PD-L1 and CD47/ SIRP-α pathways. Pre-clinical studies showed that IBI322 can effectively block CD47–SIRP-α interactions and induce macrophages to phagocytize CD47 expressed tumor cells, which is equivalent to anti-CD47 monoclonal antibody. IBI322, on the other way, effectively blocks the binding of PD-1 to PD-L1 and activates CD4+T lymphocyte, which is comparable to anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody. Because of PD-L1 expression on tumor cells, IBI322 can selectively binds to tumor cells more potent than anti-CD47 monoclonal antibody, thus reducing the possibility of bind to CD47 on red blood cells, which could ultimately reduce the toxicity associated with anti-CD47 antibodies. Therefore, IBI322 has better antitumor activity and higher safety profile.

Professor Jie Wang, director of Oncology Department of Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “Although immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising results in the treatment of a wide range of tumors, a part of patients has developed drugs resistance and the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors needs to be further enhanced. Therefore, it is of great value to develop the next generation of anti-tumor immune bispecific antibodies. CD47 is one of the most promising targets among cancer immunotherapy, combining innovative techniques for bispecific monoclonal antibody, we look forward to the results of IBI322 clinical trials.”

Dr. Hui Zhou, Vice President and Head of Oncology Strategy and Medical Sciences of Innovent, stated: “By targeting effector cells directly to tumor cells, bispecific monoclonal antibody enhances cytotoxicity, antibody selectivity and functional affinity. The preliminary results showed that IBI322 had higher efficacy in vivo, tumor-rich distribution and better safety than the single-specific anti-CD47 antibody. Bispecific monoclonal antibody could bring a lower-cost solution to patients compared with a combination of monoclonal antibody therapies. Therefore, the development of the anti-CD47/PD-L1 bispecific antibody will provide patients with a novel, comprehensive, effective and cost-saving treatment regimen. We hope IBI322 could benefit more patients in need.”