Amgen and CytomX remove disguised T-cell engager and axe the asset

The phase 1 T-cell engager developed by Amgen and CytomX Therapeutics was terminated because both organizations evaluated clinical outcomes and their research strategies.
The company publicly announced in January that the candidate CX-904, under investigation for EGFRxCD3 bispecific indications, was at risk. In the past, the biotech company reported that it expected to begin phase 1a testing followed by phase 1b testing. Because of funding challenges, CytomX had to terminate 40% of its workforce and choose wisely how to use its remaining financial resources.
CytomX no longer considers CX-904 as part of its business focus. CEO Sean McCarthy from CytomX joined with Amgen leadership to find that continuing development was untenable because of clinical results so far and operational priorities.

CytomX launched CX-904 as their very first masked T-cell engager program when they brought it into clinical development. The bispecific compound remains inactive by default since the masking technology operates until it reaches the target tissues of the tumor microenvironment. High levels of enzymes that exist around tumors untie the linkers, which triggers the mask release, allowing the bispecific antibody to bind with CD3 receptors on T cells and EGFR receptors on cancer cells. The central aspect of CytomX’s research remains strong based on their current beliefs.
McCarthy indicated that CytomX maintains research activities for T-cell engagers with their Amgen collaboration. We maintain a positive outlook regarding upcoming masked T-cell engager technologies, through which we hope to achieve significant advances through partnership work.

By removing CX-904 from the EGFR bispecific set, the researchers have eliminated a single agent from the series. The Chinese institution is researching SMET12 EGFRxCD3 bispecific medication for non-small cell lung cancer treatment. Different research groups are developing molecules that simultaneously bind EGFR and receptors besides CD3.
A phase 2 trial of the EGFRxCD28 molecule occurs under the supervision of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. In phase 1 research, Pfizer introduced a bispecific able to activate Vγ9Vδ2 T cells against tumors expressing EGFR.