MAIA Biotechnology will collaborate with BeiGene to evaluate THIO, MAIA’s telomere-targeting anticancer drug, in combination with BeiGene’s immune checkpoint inhibitor tislelizumab. The Phase 2 trials will focus on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and colorectal cancer (CRC), three prevalent and deadly cancer types. This collaboration leverages BeiGene’s established CPI and MAIA’s promising preclinical data showing THIO’s ability to convert “cold” tumors, unresponsive to CPIs, into “hot” tumors, thus enhancing CPI effectiveness.
This partnership is potentially transformative for cancer treatment. Preclinical data suggest THIO could significantly improve outcomes for patients with these difficult-to-treat cancers, especially by addressing the challenge of CPI resistance in “cold” tumors. Positive clinical trial results could lead to new treatment options, particularly for patients who have not responded to standard CPI therapies. This could also reshape the treatment landscape for HCC, SCLC, and CRC, which collectively represent a substantial portion of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
MAIA will sponsor and fund the trials while BeiGene supplies tislelizumab. MAIA retains global development and commercialization rights to THIO and can explore its use with other agents and in other indications. MAIA is aiming for accelerated FDA approvals for the three cancers included in the trials, as well as for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is currently in a separate Phase 2 trial with THIO and a CPI. The market for HCC therapies is projected to reach $1.5 billion by 2034, while the SCLC market is estimated at $6.5 billion in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 12.3% until 2034. The CRC therapeutics market is expected to reach $26.49 billion by 2032.
This collaboration positions MAIA to potentially accelerate the development and commercialization of THIO. Successful trial results could establish THIO as a key component in combination therapies, significantly expanding market opportunities and potentially revolutionizing the treatment of these devastating cancers. This partnership not only validates the potential of THIO but also sets the stage for future development in various cancer types and treatment combinations.
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.
