Abstract 2926: PROTECTTM, a novel trispecific antibody masking platform with integrated immune modulation displays unique activity and differentiated modes of action

Many T-cell engagers (TCE) and immuno-oncology biologics have limited efficacy in the clinic due to narrow therapeutic windows, checkpoint upregulation, and emergence of resistance mechanisms over time. The PROTECTTM (PROgrammed Tumor Engagement & Checkpoint/Costimulation Targeting) platform is designed to tackle these challenges by combining a masking domain that, when cleaved, provides additional immune-modulatory properties. The PROTECTTM mask consists of a PD1-PDL1 protein pair that sterically hinders CD3 binding in the periphery. The PD-L1 moiety is fused to the anti-CD3 antibody via a linker sequence containing a protease cleavage site. Once cleaved, the resultant molecule is a trispecific antibody providing TCE activity, checkpoint inhibition, and additional differentiated functionality. Previous studies employing pan T cell cytotoxicity assays showed the PROTECTTM mask increased the therapeutic window by 400-fold. We have now expanded our in vitro evaluation to include more relevant PBMC systems showing a greater expansion of the therapeutic window. In vivo treatment of established tumours with the unmasked trispecific results in complete and durable anti-tumour responses. Here we extend those in vivo studies (in context of established tumour models) to evaluate unmasking and pharmacokinetic properties. We further evaluated the unique and differentiated mechanism of action of the cleaved trispecific to not only enhance engagement of effector T-cells with tumor cells through avidity driven cis-engagement of a tumor associated antigen (TAA) and PD-L1 co-expressed on tumor cells, but to also enhance co-engagement of a TAA with effector T cells co-expressing PD-L1. In addition, the ability of the cleaved trispecific to bridge autologous T cells with DCs results in enhanced T cell activation and proliferation. Finally, TCR dependent signaling assays confirmed the ability of the cleaved trispecific to overcome PD1/PDL1 checkpoint activity. Taken together, the PROTECTTM platform integrates a masking and immune-modulatory technology that has the potential to widen the therapeutic window of CD3 engagers.

Citation Format: Anna von Rossum, Genevieve Desjardins, Nichole Escalante, Wingkie Wong, Bryant Harbourne, Janessa Li, Begonia Silva Moreno, Prajwal Raghunatha, Richard Kunze, Madeline Fung, Florian Heinkel, Harsh Pratap, Kevin Haworth, Eric Escobar-Cabrera, Brandon Clavette, Surjit Dixit, Nina Weisser, Thomas Spreter von Kreudenstein. PROTECTTM, a novel trispecific antibody masking platform with integrated immune modulation displays unique activity and differentiated modes of action [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 2926.

Multivalent IgM scaffold enhances the therapeutic potential of variant-agnostic ACE2 decoys against SARS-CoV-2

As immunological selection for escape mutants continues to give rise to future SARS-CoV-2 variants, novel universal therapeutic strategies against ACE2-dependent viruses are needed. Here we present an IgM-based decavalent ACE2 decoy that has variant-agnostic efficacy. In immuno-, pseudovirus, and live virus assays, IgM ACE2 decoy had potency comparable or superior to leading SARS-CoV-2 IgG-based mAb therapeutics evaluated in the clinic, which were variant-sensitive in their potency. We found that increased ACE2 valency translated into increased apparent affinity for spike protein and superior potency in biological assays when decavalent IgM ACE2 was compared to tetravalent, bivalent, and monovalent ACE2 decoys. Furthermore, a single intranasal dose of IgM ACE2 decoy at 1 mg/kg conferred therapeutic benefit against SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant infection in a hamster model. Taken together, this engineered IgM ACE2 decoy represents a SARS-CoV-2 variant-agnostic therapeutic that leverages avidity to drive enhanced target binding, viral neutralization, and in vivo respiratory protection against SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract 1737: Understanding the geometry and valency of bispecific antibodies in the optimization of tumor-dependent activation of 4-1BB

4-1BB is a TNF family receptor expressed on the surface of tumor-infiltrating T cells. Activation of 4-1BB enhances the activation, metabolism and function of tumor-infiltrating T cells and promotes tumor regression. Several anti-4-1BB antibodies have entered the clinic and have suffered from liver toxicity or lack of activity. To address the clinical liabilities with 4-1BB targeting, we designed bispecific 4-1BB x tumor associated antigen (TAA) antibodies to selectively activate T cells within the tumor microenvironment.

To understand the impact of antibody format on potency of T cell activation, we generated a panel of 4-1BBxTAA bispecific antibodies in different formats with the AzymetricTM and EFECTTM platforms. We compared potency and maximal activity of these constructs in co-culture assays with tumor cells and T or Jurkat reporter cells, in comparison to urelumab as a clinical benchmark. The AzymetricTM platform allowed the production and evaluation of unique antibody formats from which an extensive structure activity relationship analysis was performed. We also examined the accessible epitope space by sampling the possible paratope binding conformations of the molecule. From this we determined the geometric limits of antigen engagement.

Bispecific antibody constructs utilizing monovalent 4-1BB targeting showed inferior activity than urelumab in co-culture assays with TAAhi tumor cells. Activity greater than urelumab was seen with constructs containing two 4-1BB arms with one or two TAA binding scFv on the C-terminus of the Fc. Bivalent 4-1BB antibodies with an anti-TAA scFv fused to the N-terminus of the 4-1BB Fab showed decreased activity, potentially due to reduced ability to engage 4-1BB in a bivalent manner. Critically, the activity seen was transferable across multiple TAAs. The activity of the 4-1BB bispecific constructs was dependent on the expression level of the TAA. Without the presence of tumor cells, or with constructs where the TAA scFv was replaced by an irrelevant scFv, minimal activity was seen.

The modelling of the space accessible to the 4-1BB paratopes showed that the constructs with which we saw the most activity had a distance between 4-1BB and TAA binding paratopes similar to that seen between T and APC membranes as part of an immune synapse, suggesting that this may be a key characteristic for the development of conditional T cell agonist bispecifics.

This work represents an investigation of 4-1BBxTAA formats which would be difficult to make without an efficient bispecific technology. We identified a series of 4-1BBxTAA bispecific agonist antibody formats which were transferable between multiple TAAs. These formats also allowed optimization of activity and selectivity to promote maximal therapeutic index and efficacy, key factors which are potentially able to contribute to improved clinical outcomes.

Citation Format: Anna von Rossum, Harsh Pratap, Lisa Newhook, Elizabeth C. Halvorsen, Lee Freiburger, Renee Duan, Charles Stevens, Dimitri Tcaciuc, Gesa Volkers, Duncan Browman, Brandon Clavette, David Mills, Thomas Spreter, Daniel T. Patton. Understanding the geometry and valency of bispecific antibodies in the optimization of tumor-dependent activation of 4-1BB [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 1737.

Anti-obesity effects of GIPR antagonists alone and in combination with GLP-1R agonists in preclinical models

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor (GIPR) has been identified in multiple genome-wide association studies (GWAS) as a contributor to obesity, and GIPR knockout mice are protected against diet-induced obesity (DIO). On the basis of this genetic evidence, we developed anti-GIPR antagonistic antibodies as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of obesity and observed that a mouse anti-murine GIPR antibody (muGIPR-Ab) protected against body weight gain, improved multiple metabolic parameters, and was associated with reduced food intake and resting respiratory exchange ratio (RER) in DIO mice. We replicated these results in obese nonhuman primates (NHPs) using an anti-human GIPR antibody (hGIPR-Ab) and found that weight loss was more pronounced than in mice. In addition, we observed enhanced weight loss in DIO mice and NHPs when anti-GIPR antibodies were codosed with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists. Mechanistic and crystallographic studies demonstrated that hGIPR-Ab displaced GIP and bound to GIPR using the same conserved hydrophobic residues as GIP. Further, using a conditional knockout mouse model, we excluded the role of GIPR in pancreatic β-cells in the regulation of body weight and response to GIPR antagonism. In conclusion, these data provide preclinical validation of a therapeutic approach to treat obesity with anti-GIPR antibodies.