Alethia Biotherapeutics selected Goodwin Biotechnology (GBI) as development and GMP manufacturing partner for its lead candidate, AB-16B5, designed to treat certain forms of cancer. The molecule is a mammalian cell line-based humanized IgG mAb.
It targets secreted clusterin for the inhibition of cancer-associated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). “It has shown positive preclinical results in representative cancer models derived from various solid tumors," according to Mario Filion, Ph.D., Alethia’s EVO and CSO. Indications for AB-16B5 are metastatic tumors that include prostate, breast, pancreas, colon, and lung cancers, according to the company.
Besides the EMT program, Alethia also has ovarian cancer and cancer-induced bone loss candidates in preclinical testing. AB-3D3 is being evaluated in animal models of ovarian cancer. It targets KAAG1, a cell-surface protein reportedly expressed in more than 90% of ovarian tumors and some normal tissues.
For cancer-induced bone loss, the company’s AB-25E9 is being of evaluated in various models of the disease. It targets Siglec-15, a cell-surface protein with expression very specific to osteoclasts.