aTyr Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: LIFE), a biotherapeutics company engaged
in the discovery and development of innovative medicines based on
novel biological pathways, today announced two poster presentations
at the 2021 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual
Meeting, which is being held virtually April 10 – 15 and May 17 –
21, 2021. The full text of the corresponding abstracts is available
on the AACR website. The posters will be available for browsing on
the AACR website starting Saturday April 10 at 8:30 a.m. ET through
Monday June 21. The posters will also be available on the aTyr
website.
The posters present findings from preclinical
studies, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Arthur M. Mercurio and
his lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School,
demonstrating effects of ATYR2810, aTyr’s anti-human Neuropilin-2
(NRP2) / VEGF blocking monoclonal antibody, in solid tumors. In
animal models of non-small cell lung cancer, ATYR2810 administered
therapeutically as a single agent significantly inhibited tumor
growth. When administered in combination with chemotherapy,
including either 5-FU or cisplatin, ATYR2810 inhibited tumor growth
to a greater extent compared to either chemotherapeutic agent
alone. In models of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), ATYR2810
administered in combination with widely used anti-cancer
therapeutics, including the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin or the
targeted VEGF therapy bevacizumab, increased the anti-tumor effects
of each agent. ATYR2810 also down-regulated epithelial-mesenchymal
transition genes, which may be a mechanism that mediates its
anti-tumor effects.
“The data presented in these posters affirm the
therapeutic potential of ATYR2810 for aggressive cancer and provide
a compelling rationale for evaluating the efficacy of ATYR2810 in
patients,” said Dr. Arthur M. Mercurio, Professor and Vice Chair of
the Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology at the
University of Massachusetts Medical School and co-author of the
posters. “Notably, the ability of this antibody to promote the
differentiation of TNBC cells and render them more susceptible to
chemotherapy has the potential to be a significant advancement
because therapy resistance, which is associated with tumor
recurrence and metastasis, is a major challenge for patients with
TNBC and other aggressive cancers.”
“These findings build upon our preclinical work
related to ATYR2810 and strengthen our understanding of blocking
VEGF-mediated NRP2 signaling as a potential approach to inhibiting
tumor growth,” said Sanjay S. Shukla, M.D., M.S., President and
Chief Executive Officer of aTyr. “Whether as a monotherapy or in
combination with other widely used anti-cancer treatments,
including chemotherapy or a targeted therapy such as bevacizumab,
these findings suggest that ATYR2810 has potential as a therapeutic
agent in certain tumors where NRP2 is implicated. We look forward
to continuing IND-enabling activities for ATYR2810 to support
advancement to clinical trials in cancer in the future.”
Details of posters and corresponding abstracts
are as follows:
Title: The Neuropilin-2 targeting antibody
ATYR2810 inhibits non-small cell lung cancer tumor growth in
monotherapy and combination therapyAuthors: Alison
G. Barber, Zhiwen Xu, Justin Rahman, Hira Lal Goel, Arthur M.
Mercurio, Christoph Burkart, Leslie A. Nangle. aTyr Pharma, San
Diego, CA, UMass Medical School, Boston, MA.Abstract
Number: 5247Session Category: Tumor
BiologySession Title: Human-in-Mouse Models of
Human CancerPoster Number: LB234Permanent
Abstract Number: LB234Date and Time:
April 10 at 8:30 a.m. ET
Title: A domain-specific antibody to NRP2
down-regulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition genes and enhanced
efficacy of standard-of-care therapeutics for aggressive breast
cancerAuthors: Zhiwen Xu, Christoph Burkart, Hira
Lal Goel, Justin Rahman, Clara Polizzi, Matt Seikkula, Luke Burman,
Arthur M. Mercurio, Leslie A. Nangle. aTyr Pharma, San Diego, CA,
UMass Medical School, Boston, MA.Abstract Number:
5316Session Category: Experimental and Molecular
Therapeutics Session Title: Biological Therapeutic
AgentsPoster Number: LB095Permanent
Abstract Number: LB095Date and Time:
April 10 at 8:30 a.m. ET
About
ATYR2810
aTyr is developing ATYR2810 as a potential
therapeutic for certain aggressive tumors where Neuropilin-2 (NRP2)
is implicated. ATYR2810 is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody
that is designed to specifically and functionally block the
interaction between NRP2 and one of its primary ligands, VEGF.
ATYR2810 is the first Investigational New Drug (IND) candidate to
arise from aTyr’s in-house research program designing monoclonal
antibodies to selectively target the NRP2 receptor and its
associated signaling pathways. NRP2 is a cell surface receptor that
is highly expressed in certain tumors, in the lymphatic system and
on key immune cells implicated in cancer progression. Increased
NRP2 expression is associated with worse outcomes in many cancers.
Preclinical data suggest that ATYR2810 could be effective against
certain types of solid tumors. ATYR2810 is currently undergoing
IND-enabling studies.
About aTyr
aTyr is a biotherapeutics company engaged in the
discovery and development of innovative medicines based on novel
biological pathways. aTyr’s research and development efforts are
concentrated on a newly discovered area of biology, the
extracellular functionality and signaling pathways of tRNA
synthetases. aTyr has built a global intellectual property estate
directed to a potential pipeline of protein compositions derived
from 20 tRNA synthetase genes and their extracellular targets.
aTyr’s primary focus is ATYR1923, a clinical-stage product
candidate which binds to the Neuropilin-2 receptor and is designed
to down-regulate immune engagement in inflammatory lung diseases.
For more information, please visit
http://www.atyrpharma.com.Forward-Looking
Statements
This press release contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are usually
identified by the use of words such as “anticipates,” “believes,”
“estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,”
“seeks,” “should,” “will,” and variations of such words or similar
expressions. We intend these forward-looking statements to be
covered by such safe harbor provisions for forward-looking
statements and are making this statement for purposes of complying
with those safe harbor provisions. These forward-looking statements
include statements regarding the potential therapeutic benefits and
applications of NRP2 antibodies, including ATYR2810; timelines and
plans with respect to certain development activities; and certain
development goals. These forward-looking statements also reflect
our current views about our plans, intentions, expectations,
strategies and prospects, which are based on the information
currently available to us and on assumptions we have made. Although
we believe that our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and
prospects, as reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking
statements, are reasonable, we can give no assurance that the
plans, intentions, expectations or strategies will be attained or
achieved. All forward-looking statements are based on estimates and
assumptions by our management that, although we believe to be
reasonable, are inherently uncertain. Furthermore, actual results
may differ materially from those described in these forward-looking
statements and will be affected by a variety of risks and factors
that are beyond our control including, without limitation,
uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, risks associated with
the discovery, development and regulation of our product
candidates, the risk that we or our partners may cease or delay
preclinical or clinical development activities for any of our
existing or future product candidates for a variety of reasons
(including difficulties or delays in patient enrollment in planned
clinical trials), the possibility that existing collaborations
could be terminated early, and the risk that we may not be able to
raise the additional funding required for our business and product
development plans, as well as those risks set forth in our most
recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
and in our other SEC filings. Except as required by law, we assume
no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
Contact:Ashlee DunstonDirector,
Investor Relations and Corporate
Communicationsadunston@atyrpharma.com
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