Apr 17, 2024

Cantargia publishes new data on the CAN10 antibody, detailing its interaction with IL1RAP and functional inhibition

Cantargia (Cantargia AB; Nasdaq Stockholm: CANTA) today reported publication of new preclinical data in the highly reputable scientific journal Cell Reports on the clinical stage antibody CAN10, specifying the precise interactions between CAN10 and its target IL1RAP and highlighting its functional capabilities to block multiple signaling pathways. These analyses explain the unique properties that makes CAN10 a potent blocker of the disease-promoting inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-33 and IL-36. This mechanism could be of high value in the treatment of a large number of diseases.

“The new results are important for our detailed understanding of the clinical stage CAN10 antibody, while also bringing light on the opportunity to affect multiple signaling pathways by targeting a single common receptor. This publication highlights the Cantargia antibodies and clearly verifies the external interest in this biological segment” said Göran Forsberg, CEO of Cantargia.

CAN10 is an IL1RAP-binding antibody in Phase I clinical development for treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. It has unique properties as it simultaneously blocks three inflammatory pathways important in several diseases. The data, now published in the journal Cell Reports, show in detail how CAN10, by binding to a specific part of IL1RAP, can efficiently block the IL-1 α/β, IL-33, and IL-36 α/β/γ signaling pathways. The publication also details biophysical and structural properties of the interaction between CAN10 and IL1RAP and shows that IL1RAP blockade has functional impact in counteracting inflammation beyond blocking only the IL-1 signaling pathway.

In addition, the now published data also details the binding and function of a second Cantargia anti-IL1RAP antibody, 3G5, which also efficiently blocks IL-1 a/b, IL-33, and IL-36 a/b/g signaling but does this via a molecular mechanism distinct from the one employed by CAN10. Thus, the new results combined with the knowledge in the Cantargia IL1RAP innovation platform add sophisticated understanding to the structure/function properties of targeting IL1RAP and thereby allows for continued strategic development of new therapeutic antibodies, tailored for specific medical needs.

The article, titled “Antibodies targeting the shared cytokine receptor IL-1 Receptor Accessory Protein (IL-1RAcP) invoke distinct mechanisms to block signaling by IL-1RAcP dependent cytokines”, was generated in a collaboration with the group of Prof. Eric J Sundberg at Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, Dr. James Fields at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, and Prof. Thoas Fioretos at Lund University. The article is available via the following link: https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(24)00427-3.

About Cantargia
Cantargia AB (publ), reg. no. 556791-6019, is a biotechnology company that develops antibody-based treatments for life-threatening diseases and has established a platform based on the protein IL1RAP, involved in a number of cancer forms and inflammatory diseases. The main program, the antibody nadunolimab (CAN04), is being studied clinically primarily in combination with chemotherapy with a focus on pancreatic cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and triple-negative breast cancer. Positive interim data for the combinations indicate stronger efficacy than would be expected from chemotherapy alone. Cantargia’s second development program, the antibody CAN10, blocks signaling via IL1RAP in a different manner than nadunolimab and addresses treatment of serious autoimmune/inflammatory diseases, with initial focus on systemic sclerosis and myocarditis.

Cantargia is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (ticker: CANTA). More information about Cantargia is available at www.cantargia.com.

About CAN10
The CAN10 antibody binds strongly to its target IL1RAP and has a unique capability to simultaneously inhibit signaling via IL-1, IL-33 and IL-36. Inhibition of these signals can be of significant value in the treatment of several inflammatory or autoimmune diseases. The initial focus of CAN10 will be on two severe diseases: myocarditis and systemic sclerosis. In preclinical in vivo models of myocarditis, a CAN10 surrogate antibody significantly reduced the development of inflammation and fibrosis, and significantly counteracted the deterioration of the cardiac function. The CAN10 surrogate also inhibited disease development in models of systemic sclerosis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, atherosclerosis and peritonitis. A clinical phase I study, investigating CAN10 in healthy volunteers and psoriasis patients, is ongoing. Up to 80 subjects may be included in the trial, the first clinical data set shows good safety. Additional data from the trial are expected continuously during 2024.