3SBio Inc.'s subsidiary, Sunshine Guojian Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. and Verseau Therapeutics, Inc. announced the selection of a monoclonal antibody targeting VSIG4, as a licensed program under their partnership agreement focused on the development and commercialization of novel monoclonal antibodies in the field of immuno-oncology for a broad range of cancers. This is the second licensed program under the partnership agreement signed between the parties in 2019. The first licensed program was granted by Verseau to Sunshine Guojian for VTX-0811, a novel PSGL-1-targeted antibody in the field of immuno-oncology, on November 18, 2019.
By targeting VSIG4, a type-I receptor from the B7-like family that is highly expressed on tumor-associated macrophages and dendritic cells across most tumor types, the antibody reprograms macrophages and dendritic cells to a pro-inflammatory state, activates T cells and attracts other immune cells to generate a coordinated and powerful antitumor response. Verseau's anti-VSIG4 antibodies preclinically demonstrate a greater inflammatory response compared to current immunotherapies in both PD-1 responsive tumors and non-responsive tumors. VSIG4 is the second unblinded target from Verseau's pipeline of macrophage checkpoint modulators (MCMs). Verseau's MCMs reprogram macrophages to be more inflammatory or more tolerogenic depending on the disease context.
"Since entering into a collaboration with 3SBio in 2019, we have made significant progress toward our goal to expand the potential of immunotherapy by developing a pipeline of first-in-class macrophage checkpoint modulators across a broad range of cancer types," said Dr. Tanya Novobrantseva, Chief Scientific Officer of Verseau. "With the selection of a monoclonal antibody targeting VSIG4 as a licensed program under our partnership, we now have two programs in co-development with 3SBio Group's subsidiary, Sunshine Guojian and look forward to continuing our relationship as we expand our pipeline of both partnered and proprietary programs."
"Early data in patient-derived primary tumors suggest that VSIG4 antibodies could generate a greater anti-tumor inflammatory response compared to current immunotherapies in both PD-1 responsive and non-responsive tumors," said Dr. Jing Lou, Chairman of 3SBio. "By partnering with Verseau we are now at the forefront of one of the most promising areas of innovation within immuno-oncology, and are making timely progress toward our goal of bringing novel cancer therapies to patients in China."
Under the terms of the agreement, Sunshine Guojian received an exclusive license to develop and commercialize a select number of MCM antibodies for all human oncology indications in Greater China, including mainland China, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, S.A.R., China and Macau, S.A.R., China ("Territory"). Verseau retains global rights to all MCM programs outside of Greater China. Verseau is responsible for the discovery and optimization of MCM antibodies for each program. Sunshine Guojian will fund and conduct preclinical antibody development, GMP manufacturing, and commercialization in the Territory.
About VSIG4
VSIG4, a type-I receptor from the B7-like family, is highly expressed on tumor-associated macrophages and dendritic cells across most tumor types. The anti-VSIG4 antibody reprograms macrophages and dendritic cells to a pro-inflammatory state, activates T cells and attracts other immune cells to generate a coordinated and powerful antitumor response. In patient-derived primary tumors, Verseau's VSIG4 antibodies demonstrate a greater inflammatory response compared to current immunotherapies in both PD-1 responsive and non-responsive tumor samples. VSIG4 is the second unblinded target from Verseau's pipeline of macrophage checkpoint modulators (MCMs). Verseau's MCMs reprogram macrophages to be more inflammatory or more tolerogenic depending on the disease context.
About Macrophage Checkpoint Modulators
Verseau is broadening the therapeutic potential of immunotherapy by developing macrophage checkpoint modulators (MCMs) that regulate the functional shift to make macrophages more inflammatory or more tolerogenic depending on the disease context. While many patients benefit from PD-1 inhibitor therapies, they are only effective in the ~25% of cance...
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