Cambridge Spinout CellCentric Secures $25M Investment from Pfizer to Advance Epigenetic Cancer Therapy Inobrodib for Multiple Myeloma

Recently, CellCentric Limited, a British biotechnology companyCellCentricAnnounceFDAIt has been granted orphan drug designation for its multiple myeloma treatment. Today, the company announced that it received a $25 million investment from Pfizer to continue supporting the clinical research of the drug.

In addition, the Vice President of Oncology Biology at PfizerAstrid Ruefli-BrasseWill JoinCellCentric's Scientific Advisory Committee, while Vice President of Global Product Development at Pfizer and Head of Multiple Myeloma DevelopmentSriram KrishnaswamiWill serve as an advisor to CellCentric.

CellCentricFounded in 2003, based on the related research of Azim Surani, Director of Germline and Epigenetics Research at the University of Cambridge, who was one of the first to report epigenetic phenomena.

Its core product, the multiple myeloma drug Inobrodib, was selected from approximately 50 different potential targets associated with epigenetics that drive gene expression playing a role in cancer progression; the earlier arginine methyltransferase program has been licensed to Takeda.

In 2018, the company raised $26 million from venture capital firm Morningside Capital Ventures to advance Inobrodib into prostate cancer and begin expanding into other indications; in 2020, the company raised an additional $33 million and tested the drug across multiple indications in more than 200 patients, including solid tumors, advanced prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma. Currently, multiple myeloma is temporarily...CellCentricResearch Focus.

Multiple Myeloma is a hematological cancer characterized by clonal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow, often associated with monoclonal components in serum and/or urine, with the most common features being bone pain and anemia. Commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs include Carfilzomib, Thalidomide, Lenalidomide, Pomalidomide, and Cyclophosphamide-Bortezomib-Dexamethasone.

SelfCellCentricFollowing the presentation of some early data on Inobrodib at the ASH conference last year, Pfizer initiated contact with CellCentric. Inobrodib is an orally administered small molecule inhibitor in capsule form that affects key cancer drivers such as IRF4, MYC, and the androgen receptor and its variants by inhibiting p300/CBP, which are crucial for the progression of blood cancers or prostate cancer. Inobrodib exhibits high binding specificity for p300/CBP.

According to the data disclosed, 26 patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma have received Inobrodib as a single agent so far, including seven patients who were recently administered the recommended phase 2 dose and dosing regimen (RP2D). The treatment was generally well-tolerated, with most targeted toxicities being mild or moderate in severity.

Among patients receiving RP2D treatment, 6 out of 7 patients showed a reduction or stabilization in serum free light chains. One patient achieved a very good partial response (VGPR); a second patient demonstrated a confirmed partial response (PR); a third currently has an unconfirmed PR. These three patients are still undergoing treatment after more than eight months.

In heavily pretreated RRMM patients, dose escalation of pomalidomide combined with dexamethasone has been initiated. Despite all three initial patients being resistant to pomalidomide, they all showed some level of response after the first treatment cycle: 1 VGPR, 1 PR, and 1 MR (34% reduction in serum M protein).

After this,CellCentricEngaged with multiple pharmaceutical companies to explore how to plan pivotal studies after the completion of exploratory clinical trials, as well as registration and commercialization strategies. Eventually, a collaboration with Pfizer was reached.

▲ Figure | Will West (Source: Company Official Website)

CellCentricCEOWill WestThe next phase should include at least 20 patients receiving the recommended Phase 2 dose and regimen as a monotherapy, and approximately 30 patients receiving Inobrodib plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone.

CellCentricThe ongoing blood cancer trial (NCT04068597) involves a range of hematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma as well as non-Hodgkin lymphoma.Lymphoma, Acute MyeloidLeukemiaAnd high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome. The expanded cohort data, including trial data of Inobrodib as a monotherapy and in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone, is planned to be presented at the 65th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition, held from December 9 to 12 in San Diego.