Bright Peak Therapeutics Announces Dosing for First Patient

– BPT567 is the first bifunctional PD1-IL18 immunoconjugate to enter clinical development –

– The Phase 1/2a study is evaluating BPT567 in patients with locally advanced/unresectable or metastatic solid tumors –

BASEL, Switzerland and SAN DIEGO, October 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bright Peak Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of multifunctional immunotherapies for cancer, today announced that the first patient in the phase 1/2a study evaluating BPT567, an investigational bifunctional PD1-IL18 immunoconjugate.

BPT567 is designed to combine two key immunostimulatory mechanisms of action in a single molecule, including coordinated PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint blockade coupled with targeted delivery of IL-18 to T cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). IL-18 is known as a master regulator of innate and adaptive immunity and a driver of the host immune response to cancer. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that BPT567 mediates potent, synergistic antitumor activity superior to PD-1 blockade alone in both PD-1-sensitive and PD-1-resistant tumor models.

While PD-1 inhibitors have revolutionized cancer immunotherapy, Bright Peak is actively investigating whether the multifunctional biology of BPT567 could not only lead to improved efficacy compared to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade alone in indications where checkpoint Inhibitors are approved, but also show activity in settings where checkpoint inhibitors have not previously worked, or in patients who have experienced progression or recurrence despite prior checkpoint inhibitor therapy, all of which are important areas of unmet need needs for cancer patients.

“Dosing the first patient in this study represents a significant and exciting milestone in our mission to provide patients with advanced solid tumors with a potentially transformative PD-1-based treatment option,” said Fredrik Wiklund, Chief Executive Officer of Bright Peak.

Jon Wigginton, MD, President of Research and Development at Bright Peak, added: “Preclinical studies of BPT567 have shown very encouraging results and we are committed to further exploring the dual mechanism of BPT567, which we believe may have the potential to to deliver effective antitumor agents.” Effectiveness, including in patients who have not responded to conventional PD-1 inhibitors alone and in new indications where current PD-1 inhibitors are not approved. We look forward to advancing this important Phase 1/2a trial in collaboration with participating patients and leading immuno-oncology centers.”

About the Phase 1/2a study
The study is an open-label, dose-escalation clinical trial to assess the safety, antitumor activity, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of BPT567 in patients with locally advanced/unresectable or metastatic solid tumors. The study includes a dose escalation phase followed by dose expansion across multiple tumor types and patient populations. Around 100 patients are expected to take part in the study.

About Bright Peak Therapeutics
Bright Peak Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of multifunctional immunotherapies for cancer. Using innovative protein engineering and a proprietary platform for chemical protein synthesis and conjugation, Bright Peak is developing a pipeline of world-class multifunctional molecules. The company’s lead program, BPT567, is a bifunctional PD1-IL18 immunoconjugate aimed at activating and enhancing immune responses directly in the tumor microenvironment. Bright Peak is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and San Diego, California and is backed by a consortium of leading healthcare investors. For more information, visit www.brightpeaktx.com.

Contact:
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