TAIPEI, Taiwan, April 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OBI Pharma, Inc. (TPEx: 4174) today announced preclinical data demonstrating significant synergistic effects of OBI-999 and pembrolizumab (anti-PD1 mAb) in four different cancer models, as well as the potent antitumor effect of a chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) immunotherapy targeting Globo H. These data will be presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting from 14^th-19^th April, 2023 in Orlando, Florida (USA).

OBI’s Chief Scientific Officer Ming-Tain Lai, Ph.D., commented that “Our scientific data suggest OBI-999 creates a tumor microenvironment that can significantly enhance the function of pembrolizumab. This potentiated anti-tumor effect was evident in four different xenograft models (breast, gastric, colorectal, and small cell lung cancer) that expressed Globo H and PD-1. These findings support the clinical study of combination therapeutic strategies that pair OBI-999 with anti PD-1/PD-L1 cancer therapeutics. OBI has also developed the first CAR T-cell therapy (OBI-R007) targeting Globo H, which demonstrates a strong and specific anti-tumor effect on Globo H-expressing tumor cells. These encouraging results warrant further development of this novel cellular therapy.”

Title: OBI-999, an anti-Globo H antibody drug conjugate, exhibits synergistic anti-tumor effect in combination with pembrolizumab
Authors¹: Chun-Chung Wang, Chi-Huan Lu, Jhih-Jie Yang, Wan-Fen Li, Ming-Tain Lai.

Session Title: Tumor-Stromal Cell (Including Immune Cell) Interactions and Therapy Responses
Location: Section 7
Poster Board Number: 5946/7
Abstract Presentation Number: 5946
Session Date and Time: Wednesday Apr 19, 2023, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Title: Globo H-targeted CAR T cell cancer immunotherapy
Authors¹: Jiann-Shiun Lai, Shiou-Ling Jian, Woan-Eng Chan, Ming-Tain Lai.

Session Title: CAR T-cell Therapy 2
Location: Section 23
Poster Board Number: 4084/4
Abstract Presentation Number: 4084
Session Date and Time: Tuesday Apr 18, 2023, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

¹ OBI Pharma, Inc., Taipei, Taiwan.

The e-posters will be available for browsing at the AACR Annual Meeting beginning at 12:00 PM ET on April 14, as well as on the OBI Pharma website (www.obipharma.com) beginning on April 20.

About OBI Pharma

OBI Pharma, Inc., is a Taiwanese biopharmaceutical company that was established in 2002. Its mission is to develop and license novel therapeutic agents for important unmet medical needs against promising cancer targets such as the Globo series of glycosphingolipids (including Globo H and SSEA-4), AKR1C3, Trop-2, and others.

The company’s novel first-in-class immuno-oncology portfolio targeting Globo H includes: two Globo H active immunotherapy vaccines, Adagloxad Simolenin (formerly OBI-822) and OBI 833; the Globo H antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) OBI-999, and the Globo H CAR T-cell therapeutic OBI-R007. OBI’s pipeline also includes the first-in-class AKR1C3-targeted small-molecule prodrug OBI-3424, which selectively releases a potent DNA-alkylating antitumor agent in the presence of the aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) enzyme, and the novel next generation Trop-2 ADC, R992, which is designed to target 1st generation Trop-2-ADC resistant cancers. Additional information can be found at www.obipharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future clinical trials, results and the timing of such trials and results. Such risk factors are identified and discussed from time to time in OBI Pharma’s reports and presentations, including OBI Pharma’s filings with the Taiwan Securities and Futures Bureau. 

COMPANY CONTACT:

Kevin Poulos
OBI Pharma USA, Inc.
1.619.537.7698 Ext. 102
kpoulos@obipharmausa.com