Avid Bioservices Inc (CDMO)

[biopharm]

so the puzzle gets bigger but at least we have a tie from Hakan Mellstedt to Gerald McMahon CEO of Kolltan...

.... so "dozens of collaborations.." were told months back and months later we find out the #1 cancer hospital => Sloan Kettering was on board fully re: PS Targeting in immunotherapy and now, we have MSK at this event, along with Chairman Jeff Hutchins (Peregrine KOL) and also Kolltan .... wonder how many more puzzle pieces come out of this event...

-------------------------------------------------

Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s Second Annual
Rational Combination Cancer Immunotherapy

Designing and Implementing Strategies for Increasing the Efficacy of Cancer Immunotherapy by Combining Checkpoint Inhibitors and Biotherapeutics

August 25-26

8:30 Immune Checkpoint Modulation: Rational Design of Combination Strategies

Michael A. Postow, M.D., Assistant Attending Physician, Melanoma and Immunotherapeutics Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

The immune system can be manipulated to enhance antitumor immunity. Efficacy has been demonstrated by approaches that block immune checkpoints, but not all patients benefit from treatment and improved outcomes are needed. Therapeutic approaches combining multiple immune checkpoint inhibitors with standard anticancer agents (radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and chemotherapy) are of great interest. Current approaches and a framework for the future will be discussed.

9:00 Expansion and Activation of T Cells via the Targeting of the Immunosuppressive Ligand Phosphatidylserine (PS): Combination Strategy with Conventional, Targeted, and Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy

Jeff T. Hutchins, Ph.D., Vice President, Preclinical Research, Peregrine Pharmaceuticals

The underlying cause for the failure of current therapies is the persistent and multifocal immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment that drives the absence of pre-existing antitumor T cells. Bavituximab blocks PS-mediated immunosuppression (decreasing MDSCs) by reprograming immune cells in the tumor microenvironment to enhance anticancer activity. Pre-clinical, translational, and clinical results using bavituximab with conventional and immunotherapy combinations promotes a robust, anti-tumor T cell mediated response to enhance cancer therapy.

11:30 The TAM Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Family and Their Potential to Modulate Macrophage and Dendritic Cell Function Create Opportunities to Combine with T Cell Checkpoint Drugs

Jerry McMahonJerry McMahon, Ph.D., President & CEO, Kolltan Pharmaceuticals

TAM receptor tyrosine kinases and their cognate ligands play a key role in immune homeostasis through signaling in macrophage and dendritic cells and regulating the adaptive immune response. Modulation of the activation of these receptors may up- or down-regulate immune homeostasis for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Inhibition of Axl and MerTK are under investigation to potentiate the effectiveness of biologic agents that interfere with T cell checkpoints in tumor immunology.

...
...

http://www.imvacs.com/Combination-Cancer-Immunotherapy/