CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Patrick Baeuerle, Ph.D., a pioneer of T cell engaging therapies and executive partner at life sciences venture firm MPM Capital, will give a keynote presentation about next-generation immuno-oncology therapies from Harpoon Therapeutics, Inc. at the upcoming European Congress on Biotechnology (ECB) on Tuesday, July 3 from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. CEST in Geneva, Switzerland.
Dr. Baeuerle co-founded Harpoon Therapeutics in 2015 with a vision to build an innovative class of T cell engaging therapeutics optimized to achieve superior efficacy in penetrating solid tumors as an “off-the-shelf” T cell therapy. T cell engagers are unique in their ability to redirect lysis independently of T cell receptor (TCR) specificity and recognition of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) / peptide antigen – the loss of which being a frequent mechanism by which cancer cells escape T cell recognition.
His presentation, entitled “TriTAC™: A novel therapy to treat cancer,” will focus on compelling preclinical data from Harpoon’s TriTAC technology that underscores its potential to overcome the limitations and liabilities of existing T cell-engaging antibody therapies.
Supported by investments led by MPM and the UBS Oncology Impact Fund (OIF) managed by MPM, Harpoon Therapeutics anticipates launching two TriTAC programs in the clinic within the year. The company’s lead candidate, HPN424, targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and will be investigated for use in the treatment of patients with prostate cancer. Its second product candidate, HPN536, targets mesothelin and will be investigated for use in the treatment of patients with a variety of solid tumors.
Dr. Baeuerle, an immunologist by training, is known for his role in the development of the first bispecific T cell engager (BiTE) for hematologic malignancies, Blincyto® (blinatumomab), which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in less than 3 months in 2014 -- the fastest FDA approval for a cancer drug ever. In 2015, he joined MPM and since then has co-founded six companies with MPM and the UBS OIF in his continued pursuit of novel immunotherapies for cancer.
The ECB is the leading congress for academic and industrial biotechnologists in Europe and the flagship biennial event of the European Federation of Biotechnology. For complete details, please visit www.ecb2018.com.
About Harpoon Therapeutics
Harpoon Therapeutics is an
immuno-oncology company founded by Patrick Baeuerle, Ph.D., a pioneer in
the development of T-cell engaging therapies, and MPM Capital. The
company is focused on the discovery and development of novel T cell
engaging biologics for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
Harpoon Therapeutics created a novel antibody-based drug discovery
platform called TriTAC™ (tri-specific T cell activating construct) to
unleash the targeted cell-killing properties of a patient’s own immune
system through T cell activation. This approach has been optimized to
penetrate tissues and extend serum exposure, and has the potential to
address a broad range of cancers, including solid tumors, and
immunologic diseases. HPN424, a prostate-specific membrane antigen
(PSMA)-targeting TriTAC™ biologic, is in development for the treatment
of prostate cancer and is expected to enter a clinical trial in 2018.
For more information, please visit www.harpoontx.com.
About MPM Capital
MPM Capital is a venture firm founding and
investing in early-stage life sciences companies that seek to cure major
diseases by translating scientific innovations into positive clinical
outcomes. MPM’s portfolio of companies aims to revolutionize the face of
medicine across multiple areas including cancer, neuroscience, metabolic
disorders and regenerative medicine. With its experienced and dedicated
investment team, executive partners and entrepreneurs, and its medical
and scientific advisory board, MPM is powering novel medical
breakthroughs that transform patients’ lives. MPM is currently investing
from its BV2014 and BV2018 funds. It also invests from the UBS Oncology
Impact Fund managed by MPM -- the first-of-its-kind, oncology-only
social impact fund that donates a portion of its profits and royalties
to cancer research and cancer care. For further information, please
visit www.mpmcapital.com.
