Keythera (Suzhou) Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Keythera") today announced that it has completed first dosing in the first patient for the phase Ib trial of KF-0210 in combination with atezolizumab supplied by Roche for patients with advanced solid tumors. The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, PK characteristics, and preliminary antitumor activity of KF-0210 tablets combined with PD-L1 antibody atezolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors, and to confirm the recommended phase II dose (C-RP2D) for the combination regimen.

KF-0210 is a highly potent and selective EP4 receptor antagonist discovered by Keythera independently. KF-0210 can improve patient’s anti-tumor immune function by regulating the tumor microenvironment. The pre-clinical studies indicated that KF-0210 can increase the tumor growth inhibition effect by PD-1/PD-L1 antibody. Therefore, the combination of KF-0210 with atezolizumab may produce synergistic therapeutic efficacy, and thus benefit patients with advanced solid tumors.

About EP4 Receptor Antagonist 

E-type prostaglandin 2 (PGE-2) is detected in multiple tumors and play a role to escape anti-tumor immune response through EP4 receptor. EP4 receptor antagonist can enhance the anti-tumor immune function and effectively block PGE-2 induced immune escape. Since EP4 receptor antagonist can increase the infiltration of immune cells in tumor tissue and transform "cold tumor" into "hot tumor", it may increase the response rate to the PD-1/PD-L1 antibody therapy. In addition, EP4 receptor antagonist may reduce tumor cell proliferation and vascular endothelial cell proliferation induced by PGE2 and thus attenuate tumor growth and metastasis. Up to now, EP4 receptor antagonists have not been marketed and are all in the early clinical development stage.

About Keythera

Keythera is a clinical-stage biotech company, founded by a team of senior scientists with global drug discovery and development experience. Keythera focuses on the development of innovative therapies for tumors and autoimmune diseases to meet the unmet medical needs. Keythera has established comprehensive development strategies and product pipelines, with its goal to provide the most cutting-edge new therapies to patients.

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