Suzhou, China, June 7, 2023 - Alphamab Oncology (stock code: 9966.HK) announced that the phase I clinical research results of anti- PD-L1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody KN046 in advanced solid tumor were published online in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC) (IF:12.485).

Corresponding Author: Zhang Li, Hongyun Zhao,

First authors: Yuanyuan Zhao, Yuxiang Ma, Jinhui Xue

A combination of programmed death 1/programmed death ligand 1 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated protein 4 blockade showed favorable outcomes in advanced solid tumors, while such combinations are associated with more severe adverse events. KN046 is a novel bispecific antibody targeting PD-L1 and CTLA-4. This multicenter phase I trial investigated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and efficacy of KN046 in patients with advanced solid tumors. Some biomarkers were also explored in this study, such as PD-L1 expression, multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) staining, and RNAseq-derived nCounter platform.

Totally, 100 eligible patients were enrolled, including 59 with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), 36 with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and those with other advanced solid tumors. The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were rash (33.0%), pruritus (31.0%), and fatigue (20.0%). Grade ≥3 TRAEs were observed in 14.0% of participants. No dose-limiting toxicity occurred in the dose-escalation phase, and the MTD was not reached. The RP2D was determined as 5 mg/kg Q2W according to the pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic model, the preliminary exposure–response analysis, and the overall safety profile.

Among 88 efficacy-evaluable participants, the objective response rate (ORR) was 12.5%, and the median duration of response was 16.6 months. In the NPC subgroup, the ORR was 15.4%, and the median overall survival (OS) was 24.7 (95% CI 16.3 to not estimable) months. In the EGFR-mutant NSCLC subgroup, the ORR was 6.3%. mIF analysis results showed patients with high CD8 expression showed longer median OS (27.1 vs 9.2 months, p=0.02); better prognosis was observed in patients with high CD8 and PD-L1 expression.

KN046 was well tolerated and showed promising antitumor efficacy in advanced solid tumors, especially in patients with NPC. Biomarker analysis demonstrated that patients with high CD8 expression and high PD-L1 expression had longer median overall survival.

About KN046

KN046 is PD-L1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody independently developed by Jiangsu Alphamab. Its innovative designs include: a novel mechanism - CTLA-4 fused with PD-L1 single domain antibody; engineered to target the tumor microenvironment with high PD-L1 expression, and Treg (suppress tumor immunity) clearing function.

There are about 20 clinical trials of KN046 in different stages covering more than 10 types of tumors including NSCLC, pancreatic cancer, thymic cancer, HCC, ESCC and TNBC in Australia, the US and China. The results of these clinical trials have shown an advantage in survival for patients. Alphamab Oncology has received FDA clearance to enter phase II trial of KN046 based on the clinical results in China and Australia. Moreover, KN046 has obtained the U.S. FDA's orphan drug designation for thymic epithelial tumor in September 2020. Several pivotal clinical trials are currently being conducted, among which the interim analysis of the phase III clinical study of KN046 combined with chemotherapy as the first-line treatment of NSCLC successfully met the prespecified PFS endpoint.

About Alphamab Oncology

Alphamab Oncology is a leading biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development manufacturing and commercialization of world-class innovative biotherapeutics for cancer treatment. On December 12, 2019, Alphamab Oncology was listed on the Main Board of Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with the stock code:9966.

We have converged a professional R&D team led by top scientists, and have a complete industrial chain from early research and development of innovative drugs, process development, commercial production to clinical research.

With multiple in-house proprietary platforms of bispecifics, protein engineering and antibody screening, Alphamab Oncology has established a globally competitive and differentiated pipeline which consists of tumor monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates. Among them, 2 varieties were selected into the national special project of " New Drug Development", and 3 varieties were granted 4 orphan drug qualifications by FDA. The world's first subcutaneous PD-L1 inhibitor injection (Envafolimab) has been obtained the market approval by the Chinese National Medical Products Administration. More than 30 clinical studies have been carried out in 6 varieties in China, the United States and Australia, among which 8 studies of 3 varieties have entered the critical clinical stage in China and the United States.

To make cancer manageable and curable，Alphamab Oncology has always been guided by clinical value and patient needs, and focuses on the development of innovative, safe and affordable anti-tumor drugs to benefit patients in China and around the world.

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