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news.Oncology-focused biologic medicines developer ImClone Systems has initiated phase I clinical development of two antibodies derived from Dyax Corp's proprietary libraries.
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The two antibodies, IMC-11F8 and IMC-1121B, both of which target growth factor receptors, are being evaluated for their potential as cancer therapeutics. Each antibody was isolated by ImClone Systems using an antibody-fragment (Fab) phage display library licensed to the company by Dyax, and then further optimized by ImClone Systems.
IMC-11F8 is a fully human monoclonal antibody that is designed to bind to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), thereby inhibiting certain ligands known as growth factors from binding to and activating the receptor. This action blocks a signal pathway that is key to tumor growth and repair, and, as reported by ImClone Systems, has also been shown to induce cell death in human tumors in animal models. IMC-11F8 is currently in phase I clinical development in Europe.
IMC-1121B is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), which is present on endothelial cells and is responsible for the formation of new blood vessels in solid tumors.
As reported by ImClone Systems, inhibition of the function of this receptor with IMC-1121B blocks angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels), thereby limiting nutrient supply to the tumor and causing tumor cell death in pre-clinical models. IMC-1121B has recently entered phase I development in the US.