BioInvent International AB, focused on the discovery and development of novel and first-in-class immuno-regulatory antibody-based medicines generated by its proprietary platforms, disclosed a comprehensive program to target TNFR2 for therapy of cancer.

Using the n-CoDeR® & F.I.R.S.T.™ platforms, the company has generated a broad panel of highly specific anti-TNFR2 antibodies, including the lead candidate antibody BI-1808, that may have broad utility in the treatment of solid cancers. BI-1808 is currently in preclinical development, and expected to enter clinical trials in the first half of 2020.

Tumor necrosis factor 2 (TNFR2) is viewed as a highly promising receptor to target to overcome immune resistance in the tumor microenvironment. TNFR2 is found predominantly on regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in tumor tissue and has in several studies been associated with the most suppressive Treg cells.

TNFR2 is known to play an important role both in the proliferation and function, as well as phenotypic stability of Treg cells. TNFR2 is also strongly associated with so called myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the tumor milieu and has been shown to both drive their accumulation and suppressive function. Its relatively selective expression together with its important function in the overall immune suppressive tumor microenvironment make TNFR2 a very compelling immune oncology target.