Candidate Combines Fusion's Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT)
Technology with an AstraZeneca Bispecific Antibody
HAMILTON, Ontario and
BOSTON, Jan. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Fusion
Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: FUSN), a clinical-stage oncology
company focused on developing next-generation radiopharmaceuticals
as precision medicines, today announced nomination of the first
targeted alpha therapy (TAT) candidate under the Company's
collaboration agreement with AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN).
Both companies will jointly develop through a Phase 1 study the
novel TAT which utilizes Fusion's Fast-Clear™ linker technology to
radiolabel an AstraZeneca-owned bispecific antibody with the
alpha-emitting isotope, actinium-225.
"Fusion is at the forefront developing a new wave of cancer
therapies using alpha-emitting medical isotopes and various
targeting vehicles," said John
Valliant, Ph.D. "One of the pillars of our platform is to
create next-generation immunoconjugates, and we are excited to be
working with AstraZeneca to pursue a novel radioimmunoconjugate for
oncology. We had strong alignment among our joint development
committee to move this novel TAT forward into a planned Phase 1
study and we look forward to sharing more information as we
approach the investigational new drug application (IND)
filing."
Under the terms of the previously announced collaboration
agreement, Fusion will be operationally responsible for preclinical
development through first-in-human studies, while AstraZeneca will
be responsible for subsequent clinical development. The companies
will share costs equally through clinical development. IND enabling
studies are ongoing.
About Fusion
Fusion Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage oncology company
focused on developing next-generation radiopharmaceuticals as
precision medicines. Employing a proprietary Fast-Clear™ linker
technology, Fusion connects alpha particle emitting isotopes to
various targeting molecules in order to selectively deliver the
alpha emitting payloads to tumors.
Fusion's lead program, FPI-1434 targeting insulin-like growth
factor 1 receptor, is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial. The
pipeline includes FPI-1966 targeting the fibroblast growth factor
receptor 3 (FGFR3) and FPI-2059, a small molecule recently acquired
from Ipsen, targeting neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1).
In addition to a robust proprietary pipeline, Fusion has a
collaboration with AstraZeneca to jointly develop up to three novel
targeted alpha therapies (TATs) and explore up to five combination
programs between Fusion's TATs and AstraZeneca's DNA Damage
Response Inhibitors (DDRis) and Immuno-Oncology (IO) agents.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led
biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery,
development and commercialisation of prescription medicines,
primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas -
Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory
& Immunology. Based in Cambridge,
UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its
innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.
Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on
Twitter @AstraZeneca.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" for
purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to the
statements regarding Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (the "Company")
future business and financial performance. For this purpose, any
statements contained herein that are not statements of historical
fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Without limiting the
foregoing, the words "expect," "plans," "anticipates," "intends,"
"will," and similar expressions are also intended to identify
forward-looking statements, as are expressed or implied statements
with respect to the Company's potential drug candidates, including
any expressed or implied statements regarding the successful
development of the novel TAT to be developed with AstraZeneca and
the potential for it to move into Phase 1 clinical studies. Actual
results may differ materially from those indicated by such
forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties,
including but not limited to the following: there can be no
guarantees that the Company will advance any clinical product
candidate or other component of its potential pipeline to the
clinic, to the regulatory process or to commercialization;
management's expectations could be affected by unexpected
regulatory actions or delays; uncertainties relating to, or
unsuccessful results of, research, development or clinical
activities; the Company's ability to obtain additional funding
required to conduct its research, development and commercialization
activities; changes in the Company's business plan or objectives;
competition in general; and the Company's ability to obtain,
maintain and enforce patent and other intellectual property
protection for its product candidates and its discoveries. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be
materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such statements. These and
other risks which may impact management's expectations are
described in greater detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in the
Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 2021 as filed
with the SEC and in any subsequent periodic or current report that
the Company files with the SEC. All forward-looking statements
reflect the Company's estimates only as of the date of this release
(unless another date is indicated) and should not be relied upon as
reflecting the Company's views, expectations or beliefs at any date
subsequent to the date of this release. While Fusion may elect to
update these forward-looking statements at some point in the
future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, even if
the Company's estimates change.
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SOURCE Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc.