– In preclinical studies, CHS-1000 shows a high affinity for human ILT4, reverses ILT4-mediated immunosuppressive functions, leading to activation of immune cells and increased cytokine secretion –
– Mechanism may enhance antitumor responses with immunotherapy –
– First novel immuno-oncology product candidate discovered and developed by Coherus –
– The CHS-1000 IND submission is planned for Q2 2024 –

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coherus BioSciences, Inc. (Coherus, Nasdaq: CHRS), today presented preclinical data for its immuno-oncology pipeline candidate, CHS-1000, a novel ILT4 monoclonal antibody, at the 2024 AACR Annual Meeting being held in San Diego, California. Data presented show CHS-1000 is a potent monoclonal antibody that binds selectively to human ILT4 (also known as LILRB2) with high affinity, efficiently blocking interaction with its ligands and reversing immunosuppressive functions, leading to activation of human dendritic cells and T cells and promoting polarization of macrophages to an inflammatory M1 phenotype.

“Myeloid cell-mediated immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment is a major contributor to tumor immune invasion and PD-1 resistance. The data presented in this poster demonstrate the potential for CHS-1000 to reverse myeloid suppression and activate an inflammatory immune response. Reprogramming myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment holds promise as a new immuno-therapy approach with the aim to overcome resistance to I-O therapy and potentially provide benefit to more cancer patients,” said Theresa LaVallee, Ph.D., Chief Development Officer at Coherus. “CHS-1000 is our first internally discovered development candidate, and we are excited to be filing the IND this quarter. We plan to advance CHS-1000 into the clinic both as a single agent and in combination with LOQTORZI^®.”

These data will be presented today in a poster session, and the poster will be available for download at the time of the presentation:

Abstract: 1364/15
Title: Characterization of CHS-1000, an Fc-modified anti-ILT4 monoclonal antibody for reprogramming suppressive myeloid cells in solid tumors
Presenting author: Narendiran Rajasekaran, Ph.D.
Session PO.IM01.02 – Immune Checkpoints and Inhibitory Molecules 1
Date and Time: Monday, April 8, 2024, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time

Poster data are summarized as follows:

• CHS-1000 binds specifically and selectively to human ILT4 (LILRB2) with high affinity and showed no cross-reactivity to other LILRB family members.
• CHS-1000 efficiently blocks the interaction of ILT4 with its ligands, HLA-A and HLA-G, and reverses ILT4-mediated immunosuppressive functions, leading to activation of M1 macrophages, dendritic cells, and T cells and increases in pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in in vitro assays.
• CHS-1000 is Fc silent and lacks effector function activity in in vitro assays consistent with the engineered modification of the Fc region of the antibody. It also has IgG1‑like PK parameters in human FcRn transgenic mice.
• ILT4 and CD163, a marker of suppressive (M2) macrophages, are highly expressed in a broad range of solid tumors.

About CHS-1000
Discovered and developed by Coherus, CHS-1000 is a novel humanized Fc-modified IgG1 monoclonal antibody specifically targeting ILT4 (LILRB2). CHS-1000 is designed to overcome myeloid cell-mediated immunosuppression and resistance in the tumor microenvironment. In preclinical studies, CHS-1000 promotes repolarization of suppressive M2 macrophages to a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype and enhances activation of dendritic cells and T cells in vitro. Coherus plans to file an investigational new drug (IND) application in Q2 2024 and begin clinical studies later this year.

About Coherus BioSciences 

Coherus is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on researching, developing, and commercializing innovative immunotherapies to treat cancer. Coherus is developing an innovative immuno-oncology pipeline that will synergize with its proven commercial capabilities in oncology. 

Coherus’ immuno-oncology pipeline includes multiple antibody immunotherapy candidates focused on enhancing the innate and adaptive immune responses to enable a robust immunologic response and enhance outcomes for patients with cancer. Casdozokitug is a novel anti-IL-27 antibody currently being evaluated in two ongoing clinical studies: a Phase 1/2 study in advanced solid tumors and a Phase 2 study in hepatocellular carcinoma. CHS-114 is a highly selective, competitively positioned, ADCC-enhanced anti-CCR8 antibody currently in a Phase 1/2 study as a monotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumors. CHS-1000 is a preclinical candidate targeting immune-suppressive mechanisms via the novel pathway ILT4, with an IND filing planned in Q2 2024. 

Coherus markets LOQTORZI^® (toripalimab-tpzi), a novel next-generation PD-1 inhibitor, UDENYCA^® (pegfilgrastim-cbqv), a biosimilar of Neulasta^®, and YUSIMRY^® (adalimumab-aqvh), a biosimilar of Humira^®.

Neulasta^® is a registered trademark of Amgen, Inc.
Humira^® is a registered trademark of AbbVie Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding Coherus’ ability to identify synergies between its I-O pipeline and its commercial capabilities; Coherus’ expected timing for filing an IND for CHS-1000; Coherus’ expectations to be able to advance its candidates through clinical trials; and Coherus’ expectations that its immunotherapy candidates will enhance outcomes for patients with cancer.

Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause Coherus’ actual results, performance, or achievements to differ significantly from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the risks and uncertainties inherent in the preclinical and clinical drug development process; risks related to Coherus’ existing and potential collaboration partners; risks of Coherus’ competitive position; the risks and uncertainties of the regulatory approval process, including the speed of regulatory review and the timing of Coherus’ regulatory filings; the risk of FDA review issues; the risks of competition; the risk that Coherus is unable to complete commercial transactions; and the risks and uncertainties of possible litigation. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Coherus undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. For a further description of the significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to Coherus’ business in general, see Coherus’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2024, including the section therein captioned “Risk Factors” and in other documents Coherus files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

UDENYCA^®, YUSIMRY^®, and LOQTORZI^®, whether or not appearing in large print or with the trademark symbol, are trademarks of Coherus, its affiliates, related companies or its licensors or joint venture partners unless otherwise noted. Trademarks and trade names of other companies appearing in this press release are, to the knowledge of Coherus, the property of their respective owners.

Coherus Contact Information:
For Investors:
Jami Taylor
Head of Investor Relations
IR@coherus.com

For Media:
Jodi Sievers
VP, Corporate Communications
media@coherus.com