iTeos Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to revolutionizing immuno-oncology treatment options, has recently made significant progress in its pursuit of developing novel therapeutics. The company has reported the initiation of the GALAXIES Lung-301 Phase 3 study, evaluating belrestotug and dostarlimab versus placebo and pembrolizumab in patients with advanced PD-L1 high non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Additionally, iTeos presented encouraging preclinical data on the potent small molecule inhibitor, EOS-984, targeting the equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting.
GALAXIES Lung-301 Phase 3 Study
iTeos recently dosed its first patient in the GALAXIES Lung-301 study, a global, randomized, double-blind Phase 3 registrational clinical trial. The trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of combining belrestotug and dostarlimab versus placebo and pembrolizumab as first-line treatment for advanced, unresectable, or metastatic PD-L1 high NSCLC patients. This milestone achievement has triggered $35 million in development milestone payments from GSK, iTeos’ partner for belrestotug. Such financial support will contribute to enabling further research and development efforts in the immuno-oncology field, potentially benefiting patients worldwide.
Positive Preclinical Data on EOS-984
During the AACR Annual Meeting, iTeos presented preclinical data on EOS-984, a promising first-in-class small molecule inhibitor targeting ENT1 in oncology. The presentation shed light on the potential of EOS-984 to restore T cell activity by overcoming adenosine suppression. Adenosine suppression is known to limit immune response in the tumor microenvironment, hindering the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors. The preclinical data showcased the ability of EOS-984 to reverse this suppression, offering a glimmer of hope as an innovative strategy in immuno-oncology treatment.
Conclusion:
iTeos Therapeutics’ recent achievements mark significant milestones in the development of pioneering immuno-oncology therapeutics. The initiation of the GALAXIES Lung-301 Phase 3 study demonstrates the company’s commitment to advancing treatment options for patients with PD-L1 high NSCLC. Additionally, the encouraging preclinical data presented on EOS-984 showcases its potential as a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor, capable of restoring T cell activity by overcoming adenosine suppression. These advancements provide renewed optimism for the future of immuno-oncology and its potential to revolutionize cancer treatment.
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