NORDIC NANOVECTOR PRESENTS PRECLINICAL RESEARCH WITH BETALUTIN® SHOWING POTENTIAL FOR COMBINATION WITH RITUXIMAB IN NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA
Poster Presented at the 57th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting
Oslo, Norway, 7 December 2015
Nordic Nanovector ASA’s (OSE: NANO) poster describing preclinical research with Betalutin® (177Lu-HH1) was presented at the 57th Annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting on Sunday, 6 December 2015 in Orlando, FL, USA. The poster, entitled “Treatment with 177Lu-HH1 Increases CD20 Expression,” is available on the Nordic Nanovector website at Product Info/Scientific Posters/.
Immunotherapy with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab in combination with chemotherapy has resulted in significantly improved response rate and survival in patients with various types of CD20 positive B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. To be effective, rituximab depends on selective expression of sufficient CD20 antigens per cell. Treatment with rituximab alone or in combination with chemotherapy can decrease CD20 expression, which may result in reduced clinical effect of subsequent CD20 targeted treatments.
In the poster it is shown how the use of the anti-CD37 Antibody Radionuclide Conjugate (ARC) 177Lu-DOTA-HH1 (177Lu-HH1 or Betalutin®) results in an increased binding of rituximab to NHL cell lines, indicating an upregulation of the CD20 expression. In addition, an increased uptake of rituximab was seen in NHL tumors in mice after treatment with Betalutin®.
Jostein Dahle, Nordic Nanovector’s Chief Scientific Officer, commented: “The results we have seen in these preclinical studies are very promising and represent a rationale for a combination treatment for NHL with Betalutin® and rituximab. We will continue our research in this area with the intention of further reinforcing the evidence to support this rationale and to expand our preclinical studies with a view to clinical combination studies in the future.”
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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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