Tolerx and the Cancer Research Institute to Develop Anti-GITR Antibody

Tolerx, Inc. (Cambridge, MA), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies by modulating T cell activity, and the Cancer Vaccine Acceleration Fund (CVAF, New York, NY)—a nonprofit program of the Cancer Research Institute established in partnership with the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research—have signed a research agreement to support the development of Tolerx’s drug candidate, TRX518. TRX518 is a monoclonal antibody designed to enhance the immune system by enabling T cells to more effectively attack cancer cells. It is the first anti-glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR) drug candidate to enter human clinical trials.

TRX518 is a targeted T cell immunomodulator that activates GITR (glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor) found on multiple types of T cells and other immune cells. Activated GITR plays a role in directing the antitumor immune response by activating tumor-antigen-specific T effector cells, and abrogating the suppression induced by inappropriately activated T regulatory cells. TRX518 is designed to have activating and sustaining effects on T cells for enhancing the immune system’s responses against cancer cells, including responses that may occur with TRX518 alone, as well as complementary responses in combination with other cancer therapies including vaccines.

Through the collaboration, CVAF will provide $1.5 million in research funding to support Tolerx’s clinical development of TRX518. CVAF will be eligible to receive milestone payments from Tolerx if TRX518 obtains FDA approval in the future. As part of the alliance, CVAF will provide Tolerx with access to scientific and clinical resources, including the Ludwig Institute’s Clinical Trial Management team and the Cancer Vaccine Collaborative, a network of 19 medical research institutions around the world with experience in designing and conducting immunotherapy clinical trials in cancer.