Coherus Presents Positive Phase 2 Clinical Data on Casdozokitug, a First-in-Class IL-27-Targeted Antibody, at the 2024 ASCO GI Cancers Symposium

– Data demonstrate early activity with casdozokitug/atezolizumab/bevacizumab; 38% objective response rate including three complete responses –

– Data support casdozo as a promising novel immuno-oncology agent with clinical activity in liver cancer that may be associated with IL-27 pathway biomarkers –

– Data support continued evaluation of casdozo with VEGF and PD-(L)1 blockade in HCC, including further clinical development to evaluate casdozokitug/toripalimab/bevacizumab –

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jan. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coherus BioSciences, Inc. (Coherus, Nasdaq: CHRS), today announced data from the lead-in portion of the Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating casdozokitug (casdozo), a selective and potent IL-27-targeting antibody, in combination with atezolizumab (atezo) and bevacizumab (bev) in treatment naïve patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). These data are being presented at the 2024 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium taking place January 18-20, 2024 at Moscone West in San Francisco, California. Interleukin (IL)-27 is an immunoregulatory cytokine involved in suppressing anti-tumor immune responses and an important new target for cancer treatment. Casdozo is a first-in-class antibody, and the only clinical stage immunomodulatory cytokine antagonist targeting IL-27.

“Doublet immunotherapy combinations for the treatment of liver cancer have improved outcomes for patients for whom surgery is not an option or whose cancer has spread. However, not all patients respond to current therapy and novel treatment options that can further improve survival without added toxicity are needed,” said Daneng Li, M.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research and Co-Director, Liver Cancer Collaborative Program, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center. “The addition of casdozo to standard of care is encouraging and supports further evaluation of cazdozo, and its novel anti-IL-27 mechanism, as part of triplet therapy in HCC. Additionally, each person with advanced HCC is unique with respect to their tumor, co-morbidities and other factors – the biomarker data showing an association of IL-27 biology and response to casdozo is particularly interesting and the potential to identify biomarkers of response would be an important benefit to patients with liver cancer.”