ImmunityBio Announces Positive Phase 2 Results Showing That Anktiva Restores the Activity of Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients Who Have Relapsed Checkpoint Immunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - Seite 2

Tumor resistance to checkpoint therapy occurs when T cells are unable to recognize the tumor cell antigen. NK cells can overcome this resistance as indicated by Allen, et al., “Mechanisms of resistance to T cell-based immunotherapy in head and neck cancer” (DOI: 10.1002/hed.26158), who show that NK cells can improve the efficacy of T-cell activated immunotherapy such as checkpoint inhibitors.

Sandeep Bobby Reddy, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at ImmunityBio, commented, “This Phase 2 study demonstrates that activation of NK cells through administration of Anktiva, reactivates and restores the activity of checkpoint inhibitor therapy even in patients who relapsed on the same checkpoint therapy. Thus, the potential exists that Anktiva could be the combination backbone to all checkpoint therapy by activating both NK and T cells. We believe that our particular approach in using an engineered IL-15 superagonist to coordinate T cell and natural killer cell-mediated responses may elicit tumor response, regardless of the type and extent of prior checkpoint inhibitor therapy, PD-L1 status, and tumor type. The data presented are from the NSCLC cohort of a multi-cohort ongoing trial in 11 checkpoint inhibitor indications. Much excitement has been generated with targets such as TIGIT, OX40, TIM3, LAG3 and many others. We are particularly excited that our approach is independent of a particular biomarker and may have a broader applicable patient population.”

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in men and women (excluding skin cancer), and non-small cell lung cancer accounts for 80% to 85% of all lung cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. In 2021, more than 235,000 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer and more than 131,000 people will die from the disease.

NantKwest Transaction

As previously announced, on December 21, 2020, ImmunityBio entered into an agreement to combine in a stock-for-stock transaction with NantKwest (NASDAQ: NK). The combination, which is expected to close in the first half of 2021, will create a leading immunotherapy and cell therapy company focused on oncology and infectious disease.

About ImmunityBio

ImmunityBio, Inc. is a late-clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing next-generation therapies that drive immunogenic mechanisms for defeating cancers and infectious diseases. The company’s immunotherapy platform activates both the innate (natural killer cell and macrophage) and adaptive (T-cell) immune systems to create long-term “immunological memory.” This novel approach is designed to eliminate the need for high-dose chemotherapy, improve upon the outcomes of current CAR T-cell therapies, and extend beyond checkpoint inhibitors.