CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aura Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ: AURA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a novel class of virus-like drug conjugate (VDC) therapies for multiple oncology indications, today announced the presentation of preclinical data for its first VDC product candidate, AU-011, which is being developed for the treatment of Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC). The results will be presented as part of the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Genitourinary (GU) Cancer Symposium being held February 17-19 in San Francisco, CA and online.
“Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer remains an area of high unmet need with high levels of recurrence and progression and no approved targeted therapies. We believe that AU-011’s mechanism of action supports its potential use as a front-line treatment following initial diagnosis and/or for Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) refractory disease,” said Dr. Cadmus Rich, Chief Medical Officer and Head of R&D of Aura Biosciences. “These preclinical data further support AU-011’s potential in treating urothelial cancer, including NMIBC. We look forward to initiating our planned Phase 1 clinical trial in the second half of this year.
Demonstration of AU-011 Applicability in Urothelial Cancer
Using a panel of human bladder cancer cell lines that represent different stages of the disease, AU-011 demonstrated consistent tumor cell binding and cytotoxicity in vitro. These data support that AU-011’s targeting of bladder cancer cells through HSPGs is tumor grade agnostic. Tumor binding and distribution of AU-011 was evident in both ex vivo human bladder cancer tissues and in an in vivo murine bladder cancer model. Collectively, these results support further investigation of the use of AU-011 in patients with urothelial neoplasia.
Details for the poster presentation are as follows:
Title: Targeting Urothelial Neoplasia Using an Investigational Virus-Like Drug Conjugate
Presenter: Rhonda C. Kines, Aura Biosciences
Poster Session: Urothelial Carcinoma, poster #514
Date and time: Friday, February 18 at 3:30 PM PT
Location: On Demand
The poster can be accessed by visiting the “Scientific Presentations” section of “VDC Platform” page of the Aura Biosciences website.
About Aura Biosciences
Aura Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: AURA) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing virus-like drug conjugates (VDCs), a novel class of therapies, for the treatment of multiple oncology indications. Aura’s lead VDC candidate, AU-011 (belzupacap sarotalocan), consists of a virus-like particle conjugated with an anti-cancer agent. AU-011 selectively targets and destroys cancer cells and activates the immune system with the potential to create long-lasting anti-tumor immunity. AU-011 is currently in development for ocular cancers, with an ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating first-line treatment of choroidal melanoma, a vision- and life-threatening form of eye cancer where standard of care with radiotherapy leaves patients with severe comorbidities, including major vision loss. Aura plans to develop AU-011 across its ocular oncology franchise including for the treatment of patients with choroidal metastases. In addition, leveraging Aura’s technology platform, Aura is developing AU-011 more broadly across multiple cancers, starting with a planned Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Aura is headquartered in Cambridge, MA.
For more information, visit aurabiosciences.com, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and other federal securities laws. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward looking statements. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could”, “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “seeks,” “endeavor,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of such words or other similar expressions that can be used to identify forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements include express or implied statements regarding Aura’s future expectations, plans and prospects, including, without limitation, statements regarding the therapeutic potential of AU-011 for the treatment of NMIBC and expectations with respect to the anticipated timing of AU-011’s Phase 1 clinical trial and further clinical development plans.
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