New preclinical data on the antifibrotic effects of tasquinimod in myelofibrosis to be presented at EHA 2023

May 11, 2023 17:40 (CEST)

Lund, May 11 2023 – Active Biotech (NASDAQ Stockholm:ACTI) announces today that new data on the mechanisms by which tasquinimod ameliorates bone marrow fibrosis in a murine model of myelofibrosis will be presented in an oral session at the European Hematology Association Congress in Frankfurt, 8-11 June, 2023.

Previous studies have shown the importance of the alarmin complex S100A8/S100A9 in the pathogenesis of myelofibrosis (MF). Tasquinimod is a small molecule oral inhibitor of S100A9 and it has shown disease inhibitory effects in preclinical models of MF. The data to be presented further elucidates the mechanisms by which tasquinimod reduces fibrosis in experimental MF.

Tasquinimod was shown to reduce the pathogenic alarmin signalling, originating from the hematopoietic cells, and cross-talk with stromal cells. The data indicate a direct effect on fibrosis with tasquinimod due to reduced interactions between megakaryocytes and stromal cells. Additionally, tasquinimod induced apoptosis in the malignant hematopoietic cells.

In the next step a clinical trial, TasqForce MPN, with tasquinimod in patients with MF will start during 2023.

Details on the presentation:

Abstract Title: Inhibiting the alarmin-driven hematopoiesis-stromal cells crosstalk in primary myelofibrosis ameliorates bone marrow fibrosis

Session Title: Scientific updates in MPN

Abstract ID: 3870

Session Date and Time: Saturday June 10, 4:30 PM

The abstract is available on the EHA website https://library.ehaweb.org/eha

For further information, please contact:

Helén Tuvesson, CEO, +46 46 19 21 56, helen.tuvesson@activebiotech.com
Hans Kolam, CFO, +46 46 19 20 44, hans.kolam@activebiotech.com

About Active Biotech

Active Biotech AB (publ) (NASDAQ Stockholm: ACTI) is a biotechnology company that deploys its extensive knowledge base and portfolio of compounds to develop first-in-class immunomodulatory treatments for specialist oncology and immunology indications with a high unmet medical need and significant commercial potential. Following a portfolio refocus, the business model of Active Biotech aims to advance projects to the clinical development phase and then further develop the programs internally or pursue in partnership. Active Biotech currently holds three projects in its portfolio: The wholly owned small molecule immunomodulators, tasquinimod and laquinimod, both having a mode of actions that includes modulation of myeloid immune cell function, are targeted towards hematological malignancies and inflammatory eye disorders, respectively. Tasquinimod, is in clinical phase Ib/IIa for treatment of multiple myeloma. Laquinimod is in a clinical phase I study with a topical ophthalmic formulation, to be followed by phase II-study for treatment of non-infectious uveitis. Naptumomab, a targeted anti-cancer immunotherapy, partnered to NeoTX Therapeutics, is in a phase Ib/II clinical program in patients with advanced solid tumors. Please visit www.activebiotech.com for more information.

About tasquinimod

Tasquinimod is an oral immunomodulatory and anti-angiogenic investigational treatment, that affects the tumor’s ability to grow and metastasize. Tasquinimod is developed as a new immunomodulatory treatment for hematological malignances, in the first step multiple myeloma. Tasquinimod has previously been studied as an anti-cancer agent in patients with solid cancers, including a phase III randomized trial in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. The tolerability of tasquinimod is well-characterized based on these previous experiences. Tasquinimod has demonstrated a clear therapeutic potential in preclinical models of multiple myeloma, when used as a single agent and in combination with standard multiple myeloma therapy. A clinical Phase Ib/IIa study is ongoing with tasquinimod in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Tasquinimod ameliorates disease development in preclinical models for myelofibrosis (MF). In February 2022 Active Biotech entered into an exclusive license agreement with Oncode Institute, acting on behalf of Erasmus Universiteit Medisch Centrum (Erasmus MC) to develop and commercialize tasquinimod worldwide in MF. A clinical study with tasquinimod in patients with MF is planned to start in 2023.

Attachments

New preclinical data on the antifibrotic effects of tasquinimod in myelofibrosis to be presented at EHA 2023