Apexigen Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 3 Pivotal Trial for BD0801, an Anti-VEGF Monoclonal Antibody, in Combination Therapy for Ovarian Cancer

– BD0801, discovered using Apexigen’s APXiMAB™ antibody technology platform, is in development by Simcere in China through a licensing agreement –

SAN CARLOS, Calif., Oct. 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Apexigen, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing a new generation of antibody therapeutics for oncology, today announced that Simcere Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has initiated a Phase 3 pivotal trial evaluating BD0801 in combination with chemotherapy for patients with recurrent, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. BD0801 is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and is derived from Apexigen’s APXiMAB™ antibody discovery technology platform. Simcere is developing BD0801 in China through a licensing agreement with Apexigen.

“We are very pleased to see BD0801 advance into pivotal trials and encouraged by the growing evidence that underscores the expanded therapeutic efficacy of targeting angiogenic pathways, such as VEGF,” said Apexigen’s CEO, Xiaodong Yang, MD., Ph.D. “BD0801 is designed to overcome outstanding challenges of the class with improved durability, patient response and superior clinical benefit. BD0801 has broad potential therapeutic utility and best-in-class promise, and the initiation of the phase 3 trial in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer is an important next step in its development.”

Dr. Yang continued, “This trial builds on extensive preclinical data that demonstrated higher anti-tumor efficacy in multiple cancer models as well as strong preliminary clinical data that showed favorable safety and efficacy signals. The advancement of BD0801 further demonstrates the robust value of our APXiMAB platform, designed to develop next-generation best-in-class antibody therapeutics. We look forward to seeing BD0801 progress towards commercialization in China and potentially address unmet medical needs in cancer patients with limited effective treatment options.”

The randomized, double-blind, Phase 3 trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BD0801 combined with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy plus placebo in patients with recurrent, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Patients will receive 1.5 mg/kg of BD0801 or placebo in combination with one of three chemotherapies (paclitaxel, topotecan or doxorubicin liposome). The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS). Additional information about this clinical trial is available at ClinicalTrials.gov using the identifier: NCT04908787.

About BD0801

BD00801 is a next-generation humanized monoclonal antibody directed against VEGF and was discovered using Apexigen’s APXiMAB platform. BD0801 achieves higher potency than the commonly used anti-VEGF therapy and is currently being developed for the treatment of solid tumors by Simcere Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

About Apexigen

Apexigen is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing a new generation of antibody therapeutics for oncology, with an emphasis on new immuno-oncology agents that may harness the patient’s immune system to combat and eradicate cancer. Sotigalimab and Apexigen’s other programs were discovered using Apexigen’s proprietary APXiMAB™ discovery platform. This platform has enabled Apexigen and its collaboration partners to discover and develop high-quality therapeutic antibodies against a variety of molecular targets, including targets that are difficult to drug with conventional antibody technologies. Seven product or product candidates discovered using APXiMAB are currently commercially available or in clinical development, either internally by Apexigen or by its licensees. For more information, please visit www.apexigen.com.

Apexigen, Inc.

Investor Contact:

Bruce Mackle
LifeSci Advisors
+1-646-889-1200
bmackle@lifesciadvisors.com

Apexigen Contact:

Mark Nevins
Sr. Vice President, Business Development
Apexigen, Inc.
+1-650-931-6236
mnevins@apexigen.com