The Apogenix team has developed a promising portfolio of innovative immuno-oncology therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and viral infections. Apogenix' drug candidates target different TNFSF-dependent signaling pathways, thereby reducing lymphopenia and inflammatory cell death in patients with viral infections and restoring the anti-tumor immune response in cancer patients.
The company’s lead immunotherapy candidate asunercept is in clinical development for solid tumors, hemato-oncological indications, and viral infections, such as COVID-19. Given the urgent need for COVID-19 treatments and based on a strong scientific rationale of using asunercept to block CD95L-mediated epithelial lung damage, Apogenix has evaluated asunercept in a phase II trial in COVID-19 patients in Spain and Russia.
In addition, Apogenix’ scientific team has developed the proprietary HERA-ligand technology platform for the development of novel fusion proteins. These fusion proteins offer clear therapeutic advantages over other biologics such as antibodies and have the potential for broad application in oncology.
Apogenix has successfully out-licensed its first program based on this technology platform – TRAIL receptor agonist APG880 (ABBV-621) and derivatives – to Abbvie. In Q4 2021, AbbVie initiated a clinical phase Ib study with ABBV-621 (eftozanermin-alpha) in patients suffering from multiple myeloma.