BioInvent & AstraZeneca Partner for BI-1206 Combo Study

BioInvent International AB (BioInvent), a biotech company focused on the discovery and development of novel and first-in-class immune-modulatory antibodies for cancer immunotherapy, has announced a clinical supply agreement with AstraZeneca to evaluate BioInventand anti-FcyRIIB antibody, BI-1206, in combination with rituximab and Calquence (acalabrutinib), in a phase 1/2a study in non-Hodgkinands lymphoma (NHL).

Under the terms of the supply agreement, AstraZeneca will provide Calquence, a selective inhibitor of Brutonands tyrosine kinase (BTK), for use in combination with BI-1206 and rituximab in the ongoing phase 1/2a clinical study (NCT03571568) for the treatment of patients with follicular lymphoma who have progressed or are refractory to rituximab.

Having already shown the benefits of combining BI-1206 with rituximab, we believe the addition of Calquence for a triplet combination could further improve clinical outcomes for patients with non-Hodgkinands lymphoma, including follicular lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma,  said Dr. Martin Welschof, CEO of BioInvent. We are extremely pleased to enter into this supply agreement with AstraZeneca that allows us to explore a new chemo-free treatment option for these patients.

The phase 1 part - intravenously (IV) administered BI-1206 - has been completed with impressive early signs of clinical efficacy. The phase 2a IV dose expansion cohort is currently enrolling patients, and it will look to enroll patients to be treated with the triplet. A subcutaneous (SC) injection formulation is also being developed in parallel with IV to provide greater therapeutic efficacy. Calquence's expansion team is expected to enroll approximately 30 patients in Sweden, Spain, the United States and Brazil.

BI-1206 is one of BioInvent's most advanced drug candidates, competing with existing cancer treatments such as pembrolizumab and rituximab, with total global sales of $23 billion.

The drug candidate is being evaluated in two clinical programs: one for treating non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL, a type of blood cancer) and one for treating solid tumors. Two formulations of BI-1206 administration are being evaluated simultaneously: intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC).