Asher Biotherapeutics and AstraZeneca have partnered to evaluate etakafusp alfa (AB248), Asher Bio’s CD8+ T cell-targeted IL-2 immunotherapy, in combination with AstraZeneca’s PD-1/TIGIT bispecific antibody, rilvegostomig. This combination therapy will be investigated as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a global study sponsored by AstraZeneca. Asher Bio will retain ownership of etakafusp alfa and will provide it to AstraZeneca at no cost.
This collaboration is important because it addresses a significant unmet need in NSCLC treatment. Current therapies often prove inadequate for advanced or metastatic NSCLC, which carries a low 5-year survival rate. Combining etakafusp alfa’s targeted CD8+ T cell activation with rilvegostomig’s dual targeting of PD-1 and TIGIT pathways offers a potentially synergistic approach to enhance anti-tumor immunity and improve outcomes for these patients. The selection of this combination for a first-line therapy approach suggests a strong belief in its potential efficacy compared to existing standard treatments.
AstraZeneca will be fully responsible for the operational aspects and costs of the global clinical trial. This allows Asher Bio to focus on further developing its cis-targeting platform and expanding its pipeline, which includes other targeted immunotherapies such as AB821, an IND-ready CD8-targeted IL-21 immunotherapy. Preliminary data from a Phase 1a/1b trial of etakafusp alfa demonstrate its ability to selectively activate CD8+ T cells, showing promising anti-tumor activity and a tolerable safety profile.
This collaboration validates Asher Bio’s approach to targeted immunotherapy and positions etakafusp alfa as a potentially key component of future combination therapies for NSCLC. The clinical trial results will be crucial for determining the efficacy of this combination and could pave the way for a new treatment paradigm for advanced NSCLC, potentially offering improved outcomes for patients who currently have limited options. The collaboration also strengthens Asher Bio’s position within the immuno-oncology field and could lead to further partnerships and development opportunities.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
