Gilead Sciences said an independent review of interim Phase 3 data found the immunotherapy, magrolimab, led to a higher risk of death. Though Gilead is discontinuing further development of the drug in blood cancers, a review is ongoing in solid tumors.
The drugmaker's equity investment is just the latest in a string of large biopharma companies making moves into the emerging space of cancer immunotherapy drugs targeting CD47. AbbVie announced a $2 billion deal with I-Mab last week, while Gilead spent $4.9 billion to buy Forty Seven in March.
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
The drugmaker said Friday that it would partner with Shanghai-based I-Mab on the development of lemzoparlimab, a drug that targets CD47. The antigen target, also known as the "don't eat me" signal, is a growing area of immunotherapy, as illustrated by Gilead's $4.9 billion buyout of Forty Seven in March.
The company presented Phase Ib data for magrolimab, a CD47 inhibitor, in AML and MDS. An interviewed executive and an investigator expressed particular excitement about complete responses in a poor-prognosis patient subset, in addition to the general AML population.
Forty Seven's shares were up more than 60% on the Nasdaq following the news. The company's lead candidate is magrolimab, an immuno-therapy drug with a mechanism of action distinct from checkpoint inhibitors currently on the market.
The company is working to move its CD47-targeting drug, ALX148, into Phase II development. Another company, Forty Seven, is also developing a CD47-targeting therapy. CD47 is an immune checkpoint distinct from the ones targeted by currently marketed cancer immunotherapy drugs.
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
The company joins a small but growing list of firms developing drugs targeting CD47, the "don't eat me" immune checkpoint. Another company, further ahead in development, is Forty Seven.