Glenmark starts IND-enabling studies of new bispecific antibody

Discovered and developed by the Glenmark Biologics Research Centre located in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, GBR 1302 is a HER2xCD3 bispecific antibody based on the company’s BEAT antibody technology platform.

Also known as HER2/neu, or receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-2, HER2 is the target of the antibody cancer drugs trastuzumab, pertuzumab and trastuzumab emtansine and is involved in breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

GBR 1302 differs from existing HER2 targeting antibodies by redirecting cytotoxic T cells through its CD3 binding arm onto HER2 expressing cancer cells and inducing the killing of the cancer cells.

The antibody kills cancer cells more rapidly and completely, and the killing is not subjected to the same resistance escape mechanisms as competing therapies.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Biologics chief scientific officer and president Dr. Michael Buschle said: "GBR 1302 is significant for Glenmark on multiple levels: It is our first bispecific antibody, it is our first antibody based on our proprietary BEAT antibody engineering platform and it represents the entry of Glenmark into the Oncology innovator space, which has a huge commercial potential."

The company expects to secure approval for the initiation of GBR 1302 clinical studies during the current financial year.