Merus announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 2 Trial of Petosemtamab in 3L+ mCRC

Core Insights - Merus N.V. has initiated a phase 2 trial for petosemtamab, a novel treatment for heavily pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) [1][2] - Petosemtamab is a Biclonics® antibody targeting EGFR and LGR5, designed to inhibit cancer cell signaling and enhance immune response [4][5] - The trial aims to evaluate the safety and antitumor activity of petosemtamab in patients who have undergone prior anti-EGFR therapy [2][3] Company Overview - Merus N.V. is a clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing innovative bispecific and trispecific antibody therapeutics, known as Multiclonics® [5] - The company utilizes industry-standard processes to manufacture its antibodies, which exhibit characteristics similar to conventional monoclonal antibodies, such as long half-life and low immunogenicity [5] Product Details - Petosemtamab (MCLA-158) is engineered to have three mechanisms of action: inhibiting EGFR signaling, promoting EGFR internalization and degradation, and enhancing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and phagocytosis [4] - Preclinical studies indicate that petosemtamab shows superior activity compared to cetuximab, a standard treatment for mCRC [3]