Sensei Biotherapeutics Announces Clinical Trial Collaboration Agreement with AstraZeneca for Two Phase 2 Studies of SNS-301

Trials to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Preliminary Activity of Sensei’s SNS-301, in Combination with IMFINZI® (durvalumab), in Multiple Solid Tumor Types

GAITHERSBURG, Md.--()--Sensei Biotherapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing precision immuno-oncology therapies, today announced a clinical trial collaboration with AstraZeneca to evaluate the safety, tolerability and preliminary activity of AstraZeneca's IMFINZI® (durvalumab), a human monoclonal antibody directed against programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), in combination with SNS-301. SNS-301, Sensei’s first-in-class immunotherapy candidate, is a therapeutic cancer vaccine utilizing a bacteriophage viral vector targeting aspartate β-hydroxylase (ASPH), a novel embryonic antigen.

Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca and Sensei will collaborate to evaluate the combination of SNS-301 and IMFINZI® in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer in the neoadjuvant setting in conjunction with TPF chemotherapy prior to surgical resection and in ASPH+ patients with various locally advanced unresectable or metastatic/recurrent solid tumors. AstraZeneca will supply IMFINZI® for these clinical studies and Sensei will sponsor and fund the Phase 2 studies. AstraZeneca and Sensei will each retain full worldwide rights to their respective molecules.

“We are extremely pleased to collaborate with AstraZeneca, a leader in the cancer immunotherapy field. SNS-301 targets a novel mechanism to activate and direct ASPH-specific T-cells to tumors. We believe that when combined with IMFINZI®, SNS-301 has the potential to deepen and broaden the overall immune-mediated response,” said John Celebi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sensei Biotherapeutics. “This clinical collaboration strengthens our position as pioneers of precision oncology therapeutics by focusing on improved clinical outcomes for ASPH-positive patients through novel clinical combinations.”

About SNS-301

SNS-301 is a first-in-class immunotherapy candidate utilizing a bacteriophage viral vector that targets human aspartate β-hydroxylase (ASPH), a cell surface enzyme that is normally expressed during fetal development. Following fetal development, the protein is no longer expressed. Expression of ASPH is uniquely upregulated in more than 20 different types of cancer and is related to cancer cell growth, cell motility and invasiveness. ASPH expression levels are inversely correlated with disease prognosis. Though enhanced antigen presentation and other engineered immunotherapeutic features, SNS-301 is designed to overcome self-tolerance and induce robust and durable humoral and cellular immune responses that are specific to ASPH. SNS-301 is delivered through intradermal injection and avoids time consuming and uncomfortable infusions, greatly facilitating ease of use.

About IMFINZI® (Durvalumab)

IMFINZI® (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to PD-L1 and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with PD-1 and CD80, countering the tumor's immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses. As part of a broad development program, IMFINZI® is being investigated as monotherapy and in combination with immuno-oncology (IO) agents, small molecules, and chemotherapies across a range of tumors and stages of disease.

About Sensei Biotherapeutics

Sensei Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing precision immuno-oncology therapies to transform the cancer treatment landscape. The company is using its proprietary drug discovery platform, called SPIRIT, to discover and develop both vaccines and T-cell therapies, including SNS-301, its clinical stage cancer vaccine, and SNS-723, its cell therapy program in preclinical development for solid tumors and hematological cancers. These programs target ASPH, a novel embryonic antigen. Sensei’s precision medicine approach in immuno-oncology includes the use of companion diagnostics to select patients who are most likely to respond to its tumor-specific antigen therapies. Sensei Biotherapeutics is located in Gaithersburg, MD. For more information, please visit www.senseibio.com.

Contacts

Media:
Kathryn Morris
The Yates Network
914-204-6412
kathryn@theyatesnetwork.com

Investor:
Julie Seidel
Stern Investor Relations, Inc.
212-362-1200
julie.seidel@sternir.com

Contacts

Media:
Kathryn Morris
The Yates Network
914-204-6412
kathryn@theyatesnetwork.com

Investor:
Julie Seidel
Stern Investor Relations, Inc.
212-362-1200
julie.seidel@sternir.com