Preclinical data with tasquinimod in MDS presented at ASH 2022 available on Active Biotech’s website

Dec 13, 2022 15:00 (CET)

Lund, December 13, 2022 – Active Biotech (NASDAQ STOCKHOLM: ACTI) today announced that preclinical data on tasquinimod, a small molecule immunomodulator, in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), are now available on the company’s website. The data were presented at a poster presentation at the 64th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, December 10, 2022.

The poster, titled Targeting S100A9 in the Inflammatory Myelodysplastic Hematopoietic Niche Reprograms the Functional Properties of CD271+ Mesenchymal Stromal Cells was presented by Dr. Manja Wobus, University Hospital Dresden, Germany.

The presented data are the result of a collaboration between Active Biotech and an academic group in Dresden, Germany which aims at addressing the unmet medical need to treat MDS. The results show that a subpopulation of mesenchymal stromal cells, i.e. CD271+ MSC’s, is responsible for the diminished hematopoietic support. Tasquinimod modulates the function of these cells and thereby enhances their potential to support hematopoiesis in vitro.

“MDS is a heterogenous group of conditions, and the outcomes and treatment options depend on the subtype of the disease and prognostic risk groups. Next to stem cell transplantation, treatment options include immunosuppressant drugs and chemotherapy. There is an urgent need for novel treatment options that would impact the cause of the disease. The presented preclinical results suggest that tasquinimod has the potential to impact the diminished hematopoiesis which is a key pathogenic feature in MDS”, said Erik Vahtola, CMO at Active Biotech.

Information on the presentation:

P 1753. Targeting S100A9 in the Inflammatory Myelodysplastic Hematopoietic Niche Reprograms the Functional Properties of CD271+ Mesenchymal Stromal Cells. Poster session 636. Myelodysplastic Syndromes – Basic and Translational: Poster I. Dec 10, 2022, 5:30-7:30 PM. Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Hall D. Dr. M. Wobus et al., University Hospital Dresden, Germany.

The poster presentation is now available on Active Biotech’s website. The abstract is also available on the ASH website.

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.

Attachments

Preclinical data with tasquinimod in MDS presented at ASH 2022 available on Active Biotech’s website