BioLineRx Ltd (BLRX)

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Genentech readies three early-stage studies of BioLineRx's BL-8040 and Tecentriq in solid tumors

Jun. 1, 2017 8:04 AM ET|By: Douglas W. House, SA News Editor

Roche's (OTCQX:RHHBY) Genentech has filed regulatory applications to initiate three Phase 1b clinical trials assessing the combination of BioLineRx's (NASDAQ:BLRX) BL-8040 and Tecentriq (atezolizumab) in patients with solid tumors, specifically, pancreatic, gastric and non-small cell lung cancer. The studies should commence in H2.

The trials are part of the companies' immunotherapy collaboration announced in September 2016.

BL-8040 is a short peptide for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, solid tumors and certain hematological indications. It functions as a high-affinity antagonist for CXCR4, a chemokine receptor that is directly involved in tumor progression, angiogenesis, metastasis and cell survival. CXCR4 is over-expressed in more than 70% of human cancers and its expression often correlates with disease severity.