LOS ANGELES, August 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
GT Biopharma Inc. (GTBP) (Euronext Paris: GTBP.PA) is an
immuno-oncology biotechnology company focused on innovative
treatments based on the company's proprietary NK-engager and
Bispecific Antibody Drug Conjugate platforms.
Monday was a monumental and reassuring day for those of us
involved in the Natural Killer cell (NK) immuno-oncology field. For
years, if not decades, visionary researchers such as Dr.
Jeffrey Miller at the Masonic Cancer
Center, University of Minnesota,
understood the potential of NK cells in the treatment of cancers.
They remained committed to this concept even as T-cells became the
most focus upon immune cell leading to T-cell platforms such as
Iovance's TILs, Amgen's BiTEs as well as Juno and Kite's CAR-T.
However, each of these platforms and individual therapies has their
limitations whether they be safety issues, burden on patients,
accessibility issues or cost. Fortunately, a few companies,
including GT Biopharma, stayed true to the NK cell hypothesis and
continued to drive the science behind this concept.
The recent collaboration, $96M
upfront with $5B in milestone/royalty
payments, announced on August
27th between Affimed and Roche/Genentech not only
provides validation of the NK cell hypothesis but more specifically
of the NK cell - engager concept. GT Biopharma, since its inception
on September 1, 2017 has been
diligently working, along with our colleagues at the Masonic Cancer
Center, on bringing our TriKE and TetraKE NK cell-engager platforms
into and through the regulatory pathway and into clinical
development.
Although there are many similarities between Affimed and GT
Biopharma, there are significant differences. Both platforms
utilize fusion proteins with one end binding to NK cells and the
other targeting a tumor antigen. Significant differences in the
platforms reside in the way the proteins are constructed and how
they address the NK activation and proliferation issue. Like
first-generation CAR-T, without a specific stimulatory agent, the
cells become exhausted as their numbers dwindle. GT Biopharma's
innovative NK cell-engager platform incorporates IL-15, a potent
activator and proliferator of NK cells. No other, including
Affimed's, NK cell technology has this.
I believe that the NK cell field, much like the T-cell field did
some years ago, is about to explode onto the scene with rapid
advances in both the science and the clinical development spheres.
I also believe that GT Biopharma will be leading that charge and
bringing to the clinic innovative and formidable new NK
cell-engager based therapies.
About GT Biopharma, Inc.:
GT Biopharma, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company
predominantly focused on the development and commercialization of
immuno-oncology products based off our proprietary Tri-specific
Killer Engager (TriKE), Tetra-specific Killer Engager (TetraKE) and
bi-specific Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) technology platforms. Our
TriKE and TetraKE platforms generate proprietary moieties designed
to harness and enhance the cancer killing abilities of a patient's
own natural killer, or NK, cells. Once bound to a NK cell, our
moieties are designed to enhance the NK cell and precisely direct
it to one or more specifically-targeted proteins (tumor antigens)
expressed on a specific type of cancer, ultimately resulting in the
cancer cell's death. TriKEs and TetraKEs are made up of recombinant
fusion proteins, can be designed to target certain tumor antigens
on hematologic malignancies, sarcomas or solid tumors and do not
require patient-specific customization. They are designed to be
dosed in a common outpatient setting similar to modern antibody
therapeutics and are expected to have reasonably low cost of goods.
Our ADC platform can generate product candidates that are
bi-specific, ligand-directed single-chain fusion proteins that, we
believe, represent the next generation of ADCs.
GT's nervous system platform is focused on acquiring or
discovering and patenting late-stage, de-risked, and
close-to-market improved treatments for nervous system diseases
(Neurology and Pain) and shepherding them through the approval
process to the NDA. GT Biopharma's neurology products currently
include PainBrake, as well as treatments for the symptoms of
myasthenia gravis, and motion sickness.
Except for historical information contained herein, the
statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to
the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently
unreliable and actual results may differ materially. Examples of
forward-looking statements in this news release include statements
regarding the payment of dividends, marketing and distribution
plans, development activities and anticipated operating results.
Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from
these forward-looking statements include such factors as the
Company's ability to accomplish its business initiatives,
significant fluctuations in marketing expenses and ability to
achieve and expand significant levels of revenues, or recognize net
income, from the sale of its products and services, as well as the
introduction of competing products, or management's ability to
attract and maintain qualified personnel necessary for the
development and commercialization of its planned products, and
other information that may be detailed from time to time in the
Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update
or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.
Company website: www.GTBiopharma.com
For further information contact GT Biopharma at
+1-800-304-9888
SOURCE GT Biopharma Inc.