Fortis Therapeutics Closes $40 Million Series A Financing to Advance Novel Anti-CD46 Therapeutic to Treat Late-Stage Prostate Cancer and Multiple Myeloma

2021-03-29

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SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fortis Therapeutics, Inc., an immuno-oncology biotech developing FOR46, a novel antibody drug conjugate (ADC) against CD46, today announced the close of a $40 million Series A financing. Participating in this financing are existing investors, Avalon Ventures, Bregua Corporation, Lilly Asia Ventures, Osage University Partners, and Vivo Capital, as well as new investors, the Myeloma Investment Fund, the venture philanthropy fund of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), and Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF). The proceeds of the financing will be used to advance FOR46 in clinical trials for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). “Our existing investors and new investors, the Myeloma Investment Fund and Prostate Cancer Foundation, see the promise of FOR46 ADC therapy that could help patients where other treatments have failed,” said Jay Lichter, Ph.D., President and CEO of Fortis. “Our preliminary clinical data is very exciting, and we are actively advancing our clinical studies in prostate cancer and multiple myeloma and pursuing additional indications.” “We are pleased to support Fortis as the company clinically advances FOR46, trials a promising prostate cancer therapy that has the potential to extend life,” said Howard R. Soule, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Science Officer of PCF. In 2017, PCF funded translational research of CD46 that supported clinical advancement of FOR46 under the PCF Challenge Award, which provides $1 million for innovative research with the highest potential for accelerating new and improved treatments for advanced prostate cancer. In addition, the MMRF supported early development of FOR46 through an immune translational research grant to Fortis Founder Bin Liu at UCSF. The results of that research, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation in 2016, identified CD46 as a promising target for treatment of multiple myeloma. For the clinical study in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, Fortis has completed single patient cohorts and dose finding and is now enrolling patients in an expansion cohort for treatment with 2.4 mg/kg or FOR46 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03650491). For the clinical study in mCRPC, Fortis has completed patient enrollment in the dose escalation cohorts (up to 3.0 kg/mg) and is beginning enrollment in dose expansion cohorts in mCRPC and additional indications (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03575819). About FOR46 FOR46 binds a specific conformational epitope of CD46, a novel immune modulatory receptor. CD46 is highly expressed in multiple tumor types, is part of the tumor’s immune defense shield, and appears to be specific to tumor cells. FOR46 was identified through an antibody selection process that uses living tumor cells residing in their tissue microenvironment, thereby preserving the natural range of surface antigens present on the cells. To create FOR46, the fully human antibody was conjugated to a potent payload using a proven chemistry platform with well-characterized in vivo properties. Early in vitro studies of FOR46 demonstrated its potential to kill tumor cells with no effect on normal cells. Fortis Therapeutics exclusively licensed rights to the antibody in 2016 and maintains a strong intellectual property position. About Fortis Therapeutics Fortis Therapeutics is an immuno-oncology biotech developing a novel antibody-drug conjugate for late-stage multiple myeloma and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Fortis was founded based on technology exclusively licensed from UCSF and developed in the laboratory of Bin Liu, Ph.D. Fortis is located in COI Pharmaceuticals, Avalon’s Community of Innovation, in San Diego. For more information, please visit . UC Disclaimer The information stated above was prepared by Fortis Therapeutics and reflects solely the opinion of the corporation. Nothing in this statement shall be construed to imply any support or endorsement of Fortis Therapeutics, or any of its products, by The Regents of the University of California, its officers, agents and employees.

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