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· Selective AXL inhibitor, bemcentinib, shown to reverse AXL’s effects, thus
acting synergistically with immune cells and anti-cancer therapies
· Data further strengthens broad development opportunities for bemcentinib
both as a monotherapy, and in combinations, in a broad spectrum of cancers
Bergen, Norway, 2 April 2019 - BerGenBio ASA (OSE: BGBIO) a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company developing novel, selective AXL kinase inhibitors for
multiple cancer indications, announces preclinical data strengthening
bemcentinib’s broad potential in reversing tumour-mediated immunosuppression and
therapy resistance, presented by the Company’s academic collaborators at the
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2019 (March 29 -
April 3, Atlanta, Georgia).
Leading academic groups from the Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre in Paris, France,
MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, and UT Southwestern Medical Center in
Dallas, TX, presented three posters describing pre-clinical findings generated
in collaboration with BerGenBio on AXL’s role in aggressive cancer and
bemcentinib’s therapeutic effect. The data presented lend further support to the
Company’s ongoing clinical proof-of-concept programme and planned late stage
strategy evaluating bemcentinib’s potential as a monotherapy and in combination
across several indications.
A summary of results presented is given below.
(1) Salem Chouaib et al, Gustave Roussy Cancer Centre, Paris, France: AXL
targeting enhances lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity of lung cancer
cells. Abstract - 1200
Summary of results presented:
· NSCLC cells expressing AXL were less prone to cell lysis mediated by
cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) or NK-cells
· Bemcentinib treatment led to increased CTL and NK-cell mediated killing of
these AXL expressing NSCLC cells
(2) Kavya Ramkumar et al, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center,
Houston, TX: Targeting AXL sensitizes non-small cell lung cancer to ATR
inhibitors by enhancing replication stress. Abstract - 276
Summary of results presented:
· Bemcentinib treatment induces DNA damage and a subsequent DNA-damage
response in NSCLC cells in a dose-dependent manner
· Bemcentinib acts synergistically with DNA-damage-repair targeting agents
(ATR inhibitors VX-970 or AZD6738) in reducing viability of NSCLC cells
(3) Wenting Du et al, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center,
Dallas, TX: AXL is critical for pancreatic cancer progression and
metastasis. Abstract -1037
Summary of results presented:
· Downregulation of AXL via genetic engineering of pancreatic tumour models
resulted in a more active immune microenvironment, prolonged survival and
improved response to gemcitabine
· Pharmacological intervention with bemcentinib similarly achieves immune
activation and potentiates the effect of gemcitabine in pancreatic models where
AXL is present on tumour and stroma cells
About AXL
AXL kinase is a cell membrane receptor and an essential mediator of the
biological mechanisms underlying life-threatening diseases. In cancer, AXL
suppresses the body’s immune response to tumours and drives cancer treatment
failure across many indications. AXL inhibitors, therefore, have potential high
value at the centre of cancer combination therapy, addressing significant unmet
medical needs and multiple high-value market opportunities. Research has also
shown that AXL mediates other aggressive diseases.
About Bemcentinib
Bemcentinib (formerly known as BGB324), is a potentially first-in-class
selective AXL inhibitor in a broad phase II clinical development programme.
Ongoing clinical trials are investigating bemcentinib in multiple solid and
haematological tumours, in combination with current and emerging therapies
(including immunotherapies, targeted therapies and chemotherapy), and as a
single agent.Bemcentinib targets and binds to the intracellular catalytic kinase
domain of AXL receptor tyrosine kinase and inhibits its activity. Increase in
AXL function has been linked to key mechanisms of drug resistance and immune
escape by tumour cells, leading to aggressive metastatic cancers.
About BerGenBio ASA
BerGenBio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing
transformative drugs targeting AXL as a potential cornerstone of therapy for
aggressive diseases, including immune-evasive, therapy resistant cancers. The
company’s proprietary lead candidate, bemcentinib, is a potentially first-in
-class selective AXL inhibitor in a broad phase II oncology clinical development
programme focussed on combination and single agent therapy in lung cancer and
leukaemia. A first-in-class functional blocking AXL antibody (BGB149) and an AXL
-ADC (ADCT-601) are undergoing phase I clinical testing. In parallel, BerGenBio
is developing a companion diagnostic test to identify those patient populations
most likely to benefit from bemcentinib: this is expected to facilitate more
efficient registration trials supporting a precision medicine-based
commercialisation strategy.
BerGenBio is based in Bergen, Norway with a subsidiary in Oxford, UK. The
company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker: BGBIO). www.bergenbio.com
Contacts
Richard Godfrey CEO, BerGenBio ASA
+47 917 86 304
Rune Skeie, CFO, BerGenBio ASA
rune.skeie@bergenbio.com
+47 917 86 513
International Media Relations
Mary-Jane Elliott, Chris Welsh, Nicholas Brown, Carina Jurs, Consilium Strategic
Communications
bergenbio@consilium-comms.com
+44 20 3709 5700
Media Relations in Norway
Jan Petter Stiff, Crux Advisers
stiff@crux.no
+47 995 13 891
Forward looking statements
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, which as such are not
historical facts, but are based upon various assumptions, many of which are
based, in turn, upon further assumptions. These assumptions are inherently
subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
important factors. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important
factors could cause actual events to differ materially from the expectations
expressed or implied in this announcement by such forward-looking statements.
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5
-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
http://www.netfonds.no/quotes/release.php?id=20190402.OBI.20190402S4