Chinese pharma companies to evaluate combo therapy in colorectal cancer

Chinese pharma companies Innovent Biologics and Shenzhen Chipscreen Biosciences have agreed to evaluate their respective drugs as combination therapy in advanced colorectal cancer.

As per the agreement, Innovent’s Tyvyt (sintilimab injection) and IBI305 – a proposed biosimilar of Roche’s cancer drug bevacizumab will be evaluated in combination with Chipscreen Biosciences’ Chidamide.

Tyvyt is a fully human anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) monoclonal antibody while IBI305 is a recombinant humanized anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) monoclonal antibody. Chidamide is a benzamide-based selective inhibitor of class I (subtypes 1, 2, 3) and IIb (subtype 10) histone deacetylases (HDACs).

Tyvyt is approved by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the treatment of relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma (r/r cHL). IBI305 is currently being reviewed by the Chinese drug regulator.

Dr. Kerry Blanchard – Chief Scientific Officer of Innovent Biologics, said: “Epigenetic aberrations appear to be one of the major causes of resistance to immune-oncological therapies. Chidamide, a novel epigenetic modulating agent discovered in China, seems to reverse patient resistance to immune therapy in early clinical studies.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Chipscreen Biosciences to explore combination therapy with Sintilimab, IBI305, and Chidamide in colorectal cancer. We hope this collaboration will eventually benefit those patients in need.”

As per the collaboration terms, Chipscreen Biosciences and Innovent will jointly explore the combination therapy in China for potential applications in colorectal cancer and to assess its safety and tolerability.

Dr. Zhiqiang Ning – Executive Vice President of Chipscreen Biosciences, said: “There are significant unmet medical needs for patients with advanced colorectal cancer, and the combination treatment with different targeted therapies may serve as an additional solution to these patients.

“We look forward to partnering with Innovent to explore a potential clinical application with the combination regimen of immune check-point inhibitor, angiogenesis inhibitor and epigenetic modulator in this indication.”

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