Compugen(US:CGEN) Prnewswire·2025-01-08 12:00Core Viewpoint - Compugen Ltd. has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial for COM503, a potential first-in-class antibody targeting IL-18 binding protein, licensed to Gilead, marking a significant advancement in cancer immunotherapy [1][7]. Group 1: Clinical Trial Details - The Phase 1 trial is a multi-center dose escalation and expansion study aimed at evaluating the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of COM503 both as a monotherapy and in combination with Gilead's anti-PD1 antibody, zimberelimab, in patients with advanced solid tumors [2][4]. - The trial commenced in the fourth quarter of 2024 as planned, with the primary objectives including assessing safety and identifying the maximum tolerated dose [4]. Group 2: Mechanism of Action - COM503 is designed to block the endogenous IL-18 binding protein, which inhibits the anti-tumor activity of IL-18, thereby potentially enhancing local immune responses against tumors [3][5]. - The unique mechanism of action of COM503 offers a novel treatment option for cancer patients, as noted by clinical researchers involved in the trial [3]. Group 3: Licensing Agreement and Financials - In December 2023, Compugen and Gilead entered into a licensing agreement granting Gilead exclusive rights to develop and commercialize anti-IL-18 binding protein antibodies, including COM503 [5]. - Compugen received an upfront payment of $60 million and an additional $30 million upon IND clearance, with potential future milestone payments totaling up to $758 million, leading to a total deal value of up to $848 million [5]. Group 4: Company Overview - Compugen is a clinical-stage therapeutic discovery and development company utilizing its predictive computational discovery platform, Unigen™, to identify new drug targets for cancer immunotherapies [6][8]. - The company has two other proprietary product candidates in Phase 1 development, COM701 and COM902, targeting different mechanisms in solid tumors [6].