23andMe Initiates Phase 1 Clinical Trial for its Dual Mechanism Antibody, 23ME-01473, Targeting ULBP6

• 23ME-01473 (‘1473) seeks to restore anti-tumor immunity through NK and T cells by blocking the immunosuppressive effects of soluble ULBP6

• ‘1473 also induces Fc receptor-mediated killing of ULBP6-expressing cancer cells through enhanced effector function
  

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 23andMe Holding Co. (Nasdaq: ME), a leading human genetics and biopharmaceutical company, today announced the first participant has been dosed in a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating 23ME-01473 (‘1473) in advanced solid tumors. The target for the new investigational antibody, ULBP6, was discovered through 23andMe’s proprietary research platform, the world's largest recontactable database of de-identified human genetic and phenotypic information. This is the third drug target genetically validated by the 23andMe research platform to enter the clinic in under 4 years.

“Entering the clinic with this exciting new dual-mechanism NK-cell activator reinforces the ability of the 23andMe Therapeutics team, and the potential of our research platform, to discover and develop new therapies informed by human genetics,” said Jennifer Low, Head of Therapeutics Development, 23andMe. “We are excited to be underway in our study of ‘1473, and we are grateful to the patients participating in this trial.”

About ‘1473

‘1473 targets ULBP6 to restore anti-tumor immunity through NK and T cells. ULBPs are stress-induced ligands found on the surface of cancer cells that bind to their receptor, NKG2D, on NK and T cells. Cancers escape immune cell recognition by shedding ULBP ligands from their cell surface, which act as immunosuppressive molecular decoys.

Blocking the binding of soluble ULBP6 to NKG2D through ‘1473 may restore immune cell recognition and killing of cancers. Further, ‘1473 is Fc-effector enhanced, which provides an additional mechanism for NK cells to induce cell death of ULBP6-expressing cancer cells.

ULBP6 was identified as a potential cancer drug target using the 23andMe immuno-oncology (I/O) genetic signature, an approach developed by 23andMe to identify evidence for genetic variants that increase immune function while decreasing cancer risk. Using genetic data, 23andMe can identify immune-related genes that are expected to have an impact on cancer biology. Specifically, germline genetics can reveal which of the immune-related genes harbor genetic variants that also alter an individual's predisposition for developing cancer.