FLX Bio to Present Poster at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Conference on its Lead Immuno-Oncology Program Targeting CCR4

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 31, 2017 -- FLX Bio, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel immuno-oncology (IO) agents and molecularly-targeted therapies, announced today that it will present a poster with preclinical data for its C-C Chemokine Receptor 4 (CCR4) antagonist compounds, at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Conference to be held April 1-5, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

CCR4 is a non-redundant mechanism for selectively recruiting regulatory T cells (T_reg) to the tumor microenvironment. T_reg dampen anti-tumor immune responses and worsen outcomes by suppressing effector T cells and dendritic cells. FLX Bio has developed best-in-class, orally-administered potent and selective CCR4 antagonists that reduce tumor T_reg and inhibit tumor growth in murine models when combined with other IO agents. In contrast to the non-selective approach using anti-CCR4 depleting antibodies, FLX Bio’s CCR4 antagonists reduce T_reg in the tumor, but not in peripheral tissues and represent a potentially safer approach. FLX Bio’s CCR4 antagonists are currently in preclinical development, and its lead CCR4 antagonist compound is expected to enter the clinic in 2017.

Alexander Rudensky, Chairman of FLX Bio’s Scientific Advisory Board and Chair of the Immunology Program at the Sloan Kettering Institute, Director of the Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Member, National Academy of Sciences said, “CCR4 is a highly promising target to selectively block T_reg recruitment into the tumor microenvironment. FLX Bio has developed a novel series of small molecule CCR4 antagonists that have demonstrated excellent preclinical efficacy data, with potentially broad utility in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, immune agonists, CAR-T and cancer vaccine approaches.”

Abstract information:

Title: Potent and selective C-C chemokine receptor (CCR4) antagonists potentiate anti-tumor responses by inhibitory regulatory T cells (T_reg)
Number: 4600
Presenter: Oezcan Talay
Session: Poster Section 25. Immunology. Checkpoints 1
Time and Location:
Sunday, April 2, 2017: 1 pm - 5 pm
Exhibition Hall, Section 25
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Washington, D.C.

About FLX Bio
Founded in 2015 following the acquisition of its predecessor company, Flexus Biosciences, Inc., by Bristol-Myers Squibb, FLX Bio, Inc. is a privately-held biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel immuno-oncology agents. The company leverages its unique insights in cancer biology and the immune system to discover and develop novel oral medicines that activate immune responses to eliminate cancer cells.

Located in South San Francisco, Calif., and funded by leading investors, including Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB), The Column Group (TCG), Topspin Partners and Celgene, FLX Bio has assembled a leadership team and advisory group with a proven track record of success and team of scientists with substantial knowledge and expertise in drug discovery and translational areas essential to execute on this approach. For more information, please visit www.flxbio.com.

Contact: [email protected]
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