arGEN-X partner with LLS to develop ARGx-110 in patients with refractory WM

arGEN-X partner with LLS to develop ARGx-110 in patients with refractory WM -

arGEN-X, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the creation and development differentiated therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of cancer and serious autoimmune diseases, announced today that it has partnered with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), in which both parties will contribute to the financing of a clinical study phase 2 of the main candidate of the Company ARGx-110 in patients with refractory Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM). ARGx-110 is a novel anti-CD70 antibody created by arGEN-X is currently being evaluated across a range of hematological and solid cancers in a phase 1b study in Europe.

"We are extremely pleased to work with LLS to evaluate the potential of ARGx-110 in patients with WM. In preclinical studies the compound has demonstrated a wide therapeutic potential against the CD70-positive lymphomas, and we hope to demonstrate a similar therapeutic benefit in the clinic with this first phase 2 study, "said Alain Thibault, arGEN-X 'Chief Medical Officer." this collaboration is an important step for the development of ARGx-110 because it allows us to working with first cancer centers in the US We look forward to advancing this program with LLS in a patient population that is always in need of new treatment options. "

under agreement, both parties will contribute to the funding of up to $ 2.2 million and a total of $ 4.5 million, with funding coming from LLS through its acceleration Program therapy (TAP), a strategic initiative to accelerate the development of therapies that have the potential to change the standard of care for patients with hematologic cancers. arGEN-X expects to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the second half of 2014. The study is expected to commence in the second half of 2014, and will be led by Dr. . Steven P. Treon, MD, PhD, director of the Bing Center for Waldenstrom's disease at Harvard Medical School (Cambridge, MA, USA).

"WM is a rare blood cancer that despite significant progress, still incurable," said Greenberger Lee, Ph.D., Scientific Director of LLS. "However, understanding the molecular basis of WM, including the role of CD70, has increased dramatically in recent years. These new findings offer the possibility of new targeted therapies, such ARGx-110, could change the results of treatment in the future. Based on initial preclinical and clinical data with ARGx-110, we believe ARGx-110 has the potential to benefit patients with WM, and we are very happy to be part of this development program. "