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CRB-701 (SYS6002) A Next Generation Nectin-4 Targeting ADC Demonstrates Encouraging Safety and Broader Efficacy in Phase 1 Study in the US and UK Presented at ASCO-GU 2025
Study mirrored 4 highest doses used in China dose escalation study presented at ASCO 2024
Safety, tolerability and PK comparable to China dataset with no DLTs observed in either study
Low levels of peripheral neuropathy and skin toxicity observed in both studies
Clinical responses seen in urothelial (mUC) and cervical cancer participants in both studies
First time targeting of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with CRB-701 yields multiple responses
Dose optimization is underway with dosing at 2.7 mg/kg and 3.6 mg/kg Q3W
NORWOOD, Mass., Feb. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRBP) (“Corbus” or the “Company”), announced that data from its US and UK conducted first-in-human dose escalation clinical study (“Western study”) of CRB-701 (SYS6002) is being presented today at the 2025American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (ASCO GU).
This Phase 1 Western dose escalation study enrolled participants with metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) and other solid tumors associated with Nectin-4 expression. These included several tumor types not previously explored in China. Unlike the China study, participants were recruited regardless of their individual Nectin-4 levels. The Western study opened for enrollment in April 2024 and enrollment for dose escalation was completed in October 2024. A December 2024 data cut is being presented (n=38) of whom 26 participants were evaluable for efficacy. The Western study enrolled into the top four dose cohorts used in China (1.8, 2.7, 3.6 and 4.5 mg/kg) and adopted the same Q3W regimen.
The corresponding China Phase 1 first-in-human dose escalation study conducted by the Company’s development partner, CSPC Pharmaceutical Group (“CSPC”), enrolled participants with mUC and other solid tumors. The study opened for enrollment in January 2023 and concluded dose escalation in July 2024. Thirty-seven participants were enrolled and 25 were evaluable at time of April 2024 data cut presented at ASCO 2024. PK and dose expansion cohorts are being enrolled in China by CSPC.
Summary of data:
Safety
No dose limiting toxicities were encountered during the dose escalation phase of both studies.
CRB-701 was well tolerated with majority of treatment emergent adverse events being grade 1 or 2 in both studies.
Notably few cases of peripheral neuropathy or skin rash have been reported to date in either study:
Peripheral neuropathy: Western study (Grade 1-2: 5% (n=2/38), (Grade 3 or above: zero) was comparable to China study (Grade 1: 3% (n=1/37), Grade 2 or above: zero). The combined peripheral neuropathy rate for both studies was 4% (n=3/75).
Skin and subcutaneous disorders: 24% (n=9/38) in the Western study compared to 8% (n=3/37) in the China study. The combined rate for both studies was 16% (12/75) across all dose groups.
Ocular adverse events: implementation of a proactive, preventative ocular toxicity protocol in the Western study yielded a lower incidence of ocular adverse events in the 2.7 mg/kg and 3.6 mg/kg (doses selected for optimization) in the Western study (38%) compared to the China study (66%).
A single Grade 4 adverse event occurred in the Western study but was not related to CRB-701.
PK
PK profile seen in the Western study was comparable to that generated in the China study. CRB-701 demonstrated a longer ADC half-life and lower free-MMAE exposure relative to enfortumab vedotin (EV).
Efficacy
A total of 26 participants with eight tumor types were evaluable for efficacy at the time of this data cut.
Responses were observed in several tumor types including previously unexplored HNSCC tumors:
mUC: Western study (n=4, 1 PR, 1 SD and 2 PD); China study (n=9, ORR 44%). Both mUC PD participants in the Western study were previously treated with EV.
Cervical: Western study (n=2, 1 CR and 1PD); China study (n=7, ORR 43%).
HNSCC: Western study (n=7, 4 PR, 2 SD and 1 PD).
Nectin-4
The Western study did not have a Nectin-4 IHC threshold for inclusion.
Responses were also observed in participants with low H-scores for Nectin-4.
“I am encouraged by this emerging clinical data and its similarity to what has already been established for CRB-701 in China by our partner CSPC”, stated Dominic Smethurst, Chief Medical Officer of Corbus. “It is gratifying to see that the differentiated safety and tolerability profile has been replicated as have the efficacy signals in both mUC and cervical cancers. A new, previously unexplored potential benefit in HNSCC provides further impetus for us to continue the clinical development of this novel, differentiated ADC.”
“Emerging data for this novel Nectin-4 targeting ADC is promising, particularly for tumor types known to express Nectin-4 such as HNSCC”, stated Dr. Ari Rosenberg, Principal Investigator on this study and Assistant Professor of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Chicago. “There remains a substantial unmet need to not only enhance the targeted delivery of the cytotoxic payload, but also improve tolerability and reduce cumulative toxic effects. I am excited to see further data generated with this MMAE-based ADC.”
The dose optimization phase of the Phase 1 Western study has commenced. Participants are being randomized to the 2.7 mg/kg and 3.6 mg/kg cohorts in HNSCC, cervical and mUC tumors. More cohorts may be added to address additional tumor types.
About CRB-701 CRB-701 (SYS6002) is a next-generation antibody-drug-conjugate (ADC) targeting Nectin-4, that contains a site-specific, cleavable linker and a homogenous drug antibody ratio of 2, using MMAE as the payload. Nectin-4 is a clinically validated, tumor-associated antigen in urothelial cancer.
About Corbus Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. is an oncology and obesity company with a diversified portfolio and is committed to helping people defeat serious illness by bringing innovative scientific approaches to well understood biological pathways. Corbus’ pipeline includes CRB-701, a next generation antibody drug conjugate that targets the expression of Nectin-4 on cancer cells to release a cytotoxic payload, CRB-601, an anti-integrin monoclonal antibody which blocks the activation of TGFβ expressed on cancer cells, and CRB-913, a highly peripherally restricted CB1 inverse agonist for the treatment of obesity. Corbus is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts. For more information on Corbus, visit corbuspharma.com. Connect with us on X, LinkedIn and Facebook.
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