NORDIC NANOVECTOR: POSTER PRESENTATION OF PRECLINICAL STUDIES COMPARING BETALUTIN® WITH Lu-177 CHIMERIC ANTI-CD37 ANTIBODY RADIONUCLIDE CONJUGATE
Oslo, Norway, 27 October 2015
Nordic Nanovector ASA (OSE: NANO) notes that its poster reporting results from preclinical studies comparing the murine HH1 anti-CD37 antibody (the tumour-targeting component of Betalutin®) and the chimeric version of the HH1 antibody (chHH1), is available on the Nordic Nanovector website under Product Info/Scientific Posters.
The presentation of these results was given by Nordic Nanovector’s Chief Scientific Officer, Jostein Dahle, at the recent European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) conference, which took place in Hamburg, Germany, and noted in the Company’s third quarter report published on 21 October.
In the preclinical studies, chHH1 was shown to have certain properties that may open up new opportunities in the treatment of B-cell lymphomas:
• Internalisation and selectivity to human lymphoid tissues of the two antibodies were similar
• chHH1 induced antibody directed cellular cytotoxicity and was more effective than murine HH1 in mice with Mantle Cell Lymphoma
• chHH1 was predicted to be less immunogenic than HH1
These findings suggest that an antibody radionuclide conjugate (ARC) comprising chHH1 conjugated to lutetium-177:
• Has the potential for repeated doses over time, due to limited risk of anti-drug antibody production
• Has a direct cytotoxic effect on cancer cells
• Can be explored as a frontline treatment of B-cell lymphomas
Nordic Nanovector is investigating further the potential of the chimeric HH1 in a preclinical programme with the intention, if successful, of taking it forward into clinical studies.
Dr Dahle commented: “These promising results, while early stage, suggest that further investigation of our chHH1 ARC programme is warranted to explore its potential to complement and extend the range of B-cell tumours that we are investigating in the clinic with Betalutin.”
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For further information, please contact:
Luigi Costa, Chief Executive Officer
Cell: +41 79 124 8601
Tone Kvåle, Chief Financial Officer
tkvale@nordicnanovector.com
Tel: +47 22 18 33 01
Cell: +47 91 51 95 76
International Media Enquiries
Mark Swallow/David Dible (Citigate Dewe Rogerson)
mark.swallow@citigatedr.co.uk / david.dible@citigatedr.co.uk
Tel: +44 207 282 2948/+44 207 282 2949
About Nordic Nanovector
Nordic Nanovector is a biotech company focusing on the development and commercialisation of novel targeted therapeutics in haematology and oncology. The Company’s lead clinical-stage product opportunity is Betalutin®, the first in a new class of Antibody-Radionuclide-Conjugates (ARC) designed to improve upon and complement current options for the treatment of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). NHL is an indication with substantial unmet medical need and orphan drug opportunities, representing a growing market worth over $12 billion by 2018.
Betalutin® comprises a tumour-seeking anti-CD37 antibody (HH1) conjugated to a low intensity radionuclide (lutetium-177). The preliminary data has shown promising efficacy and safety profile in an ongoing Phase 1/2 study in a difficult-to-treat NHL patient population. The Company is aiming at developing Betalutin® for the treatment of major types of NHL with first regulatory submission anticipated in 1H 2019.
Nordic Nanovector intends to retain marketing rights and to actively participate in the commercialisation of Betalutin® in core markets, while exploring potential distribution agreements in selected geographies. The Company is committed to developing its ARC pipeline to treat multiple selected cancer indications.
Further information about the Company can be found at www.nordicnanovector.com
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