ACE1702 showed superior in vitro and in vivo potency against HER2-expressing cancers

Data support continued development of ACE1702 as a potent, safe, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell therapy against HER2-expressing cancers

Phase 1 clinical study of ACE1702 in patients with HER2-expressing solid tumors ongoing in the U.S.

SAN MATEO, Calif., June 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acepodia, a biotechnology company developing next generation solid tumor and hematologic cancer cell therapies, today announced that an article describing the efficacy profile of ACE1702, Acepodia’s novel, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell therapy against HER2-expressing solid tumors, was published in the journal Cancers. The article, titled “A Novel off-the-Shelf Trastuzumab-Armed NK Cell Therapy (ACE1702) Using Antibody-Cell-Conjugation Technology,” is available on the Acepodia corporate website at Acepodia.com/newsroom/publications.

In the study, the Company applied its antibody-cell conjugation (ACC) platform to conjugate its oNK cells, which are a unique line of proprietary off-the-shelf NK cells, with an anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) antibody trastuzumab. Trastuzumab-conjugated oNK demonstrated its in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity against HER2-expressing cancer cells and secretion of interferon gamma (IFNγ). Irradiated and cryopreserved trastuzumab-conjugated oNK (ACE1702) retained HER2-specific in vitro and in vivo potency with no tumorigenic potential.

“This article outlines the work Acepodia is undertaking to apply its proprietary ACC technology to link a variety of allogeneic immune cells with tumor-targeting antibodies and provide true off-the-shelf therapies for cancer patients,” said Sonny Hsiao, Ph.D., chief executive officer and co-founder of Acepodia. “Data from this study reinforce the potential of ACE1702 as a potent and safe off-the-shelf therapy against HER2-expressing cancers. As an economical and allogeneic NK cell therapy that does not require genetic engineering, ACE1702 has the potential to benefit patients with HER2-expressing cancers due to its potency, affordability and off-the-shelf convenience. We are expecting data from our Phase 1 clinical study¹ of ACE1702 against HER2-expressing solid tumors in the second half of 2021 and look forward to presenting our findings at an upcoming scientific meeting.”

Key publication highlights include:

• Preclinical results demonstrate that trastuzumab conjugation by ACC technology provides oNK cells with specific and enhanced cytotoxicity against HER2-expressing cancer cells.

• ACC-mediated trastuzumab conjugation provides oNK cells with better cytotoxicity than antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).

• In vivo results demonstrate the potency of ACE1702 against HER2-expressing cancer cells with no tumorigenic potential.

• ACE1702 remains potent against HER2-expressing cancer cells after irradiation and subsequent cryopreservation, promising a true off-the-shelf product that can be easily stored at treatment sites and administered at the specific time of need.

¹Additional information can be located on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04319757).