Acepodia Publishes Preclinical Data on Novel Off-the-Shelf Natural Killer Cell Therapy, ACE1702, for HER2-Expressing Solid Tumors Using Antibody-Cell Conjugation Technology in the Journal Cancers

ACE1702 showed superior in vitro and in vivo potency against HER2-expressing cancers

Data support continued development of ACE1702 as a potent, safe, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell therapy against HER2-expressing cancers

Phase 1 clinical study of ACE1702 in patients with HER2-expressing solid tumors ongoing in the U.S.

SAN MATEO, Calif., June 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Acepodia, a biotechnology company developing next generation solid tumor and hematologic cancer cell therapies, today announced that an article describing the efficacy profile of ACE1702, Acepodia’s novel, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell therapy against HER2-expressing solid tumors, was published in the journal Cancers. The article, titled “A Novel off-the-Shelf Trastuzumab-Armed NK Cell Therapy (ACE1702) Using Antibody-Cell-Conjugation Technology,” is available on the Acepodia corporate website at Acepodia.com/newsroom/publications.

In the study, the Company applied its antibody-cell conjugation (ACC) platform to conjugate its oNK cells, which are a unique line of proprietary off-the-shelf NK cells, with an anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) antibody trastuzumab. Trastuzumab-conjugated oNK demonstrated its in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity against HER2-expressing cancer cells and secretion of interferon gamma (IFNγ). Irradiated and cryopreserved trastuzumab-conjugated oNK (ACE1702) retained HER2-specific in vitro and in vivo potency with no tumorigenic potential.

“This article outlines the work Acepodia is undertaking to apply its proprietary ACC technology to link a variety of allogeneic immune cells with tumor-targeting antibodies and provide true off-the-shelf therapies for cancer patients,” said Sonny Hsiao, Ph.D., chief executive officer and co-founder of Acepodia. “Data from this study reinforce the potential of ACE1702 as a potent and safe off-the-shelf therapy against HER2-expressing cancers. As an economical and allogeneic NK cell therapy that does not require genetic engineering, ACE1702 has the potential to benefit patients with HER2-expressing cancers due to its potency, affordability and off-the-shelf convenience. We are expecting data from our Phase 1 clinical study¹ of ACE1702 against HER2-expressing solid tumors in the second half of 2021 and look forward to presenting our findings at an upcoming scientific meeting.”

Key publication highlights include:

• Preclinical results demonstrate that trastuzumab conjugation by ACC technology provides oNK cells with specific and enhanced cytotoxicity against HER2-expressing cancer cells.
• ACC-mediated trastuzumab conjugation provides oNK cells with better cytotoxicity than antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).
• In vivo results demonstrate the potency of ACE1702 against HER2-expressing cancer cells with no tumorigenic potential.
• ACE1702 remains potent against HER2-expressing cancer cells after irradiation and subsequent cryopreservation, promising a true off-the-shelf product that can be easily stored at treatment sites and administered at the specific time of need.

¹Additional information can be located on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04319757).

About ACE1702

ACE1702 is an off-the-shelf oNK cell therapy conjugated with HER2 antibodies that overcomes the limitations of current cancer cell therapies by enhancing the innate ability of NK cells to target and destroy HER2-expressing tumors. ACE1702 is guided by a clinically validated monoclonal anti-HER2 antibody employed in multiple approved therapies. In preclinical studies, ACE1702 was effective in targeting a broad range of HER2-expressing cancers, including those that were not responsive to current anti-HER2 therapies. Additional preclinical studies have demonstrated ACE1702’s ability to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, suggesting that ACE1702 could be an effective treatment against HER2-expressing solid tumors.

About Acepodia

Acepodia is a privately held biotechnology company focused on eradicating cancers with potent and targeted first-in-class cell therapies. The company’s next generation allogeneic, off-the-shelf cell therapies are based on a unique NK cell line (oNK) and allogeneic NK-like gamma delta T cells that have been selected for their potent anti-tumor activity. Acepodia’s flexible drug development platform is designed to supercharge immune effector cells’ tumor affinity through its proprietary antibody-cell conjugation (ACC) technology that links tumor-targeting antibodies to the surface proteins of immune effector cells. Its lead product candidate, ACE1702, is the first antibody-conjugated NK cell therapy in clinical development for the treatment of HER2-expressing solid tumors. For more information, visit https://www.acepodia.com.

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