Compass Therapeutics Presents Data on Enhanced Efficacy of CTX-471 in Combination with Tovecimig in Checkpoint-Refractory Models at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting

Core Insights - Compass Therapeutics presented promising preclinical data on CTX-471, a CD137 agonist antibody, at the AACR Annual Meeting, indicating enhanced efficacy in models of immune checkpoint failure through simultaneous blockade of neo-angiogenesis [1][2][3] Company Overview - Compass Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing proprietary antibody-based therapeutics for oncology, with a scientific emphasis on the interplay between angiogenesis, the immune system, and tumor growth [10] Product Development - CTX-471 is currently in a Phase 1b clinical trial for patients with solid tumors that have progressed after at least three months on approved PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors, showing partial responses in melanoma, small cell lung cancer, and mesothelioma [5][6] - The combination of CTX-471 with tovecimig, an investigational bispecific antibody targeting DLL4 and VEGF-A, demonstrated significant anti-tumor activity in resistant murine models, suggesting potential clinical benefits for patients who have failed checkpoint inhibitors [6][9] Mechanism of Action - The combination therapy of CTX-471 and tovecimig enhances innate and adaptive anti-tumor immunity, leading to increased tumor cell killing and improved interferon signaling, which may provide therapeutic advantages in previously resistant cancer types [3][6] Clinical Trials - Tovecimig is being evaluated in the ongoing Phase 2/3 trial (COMPANION-002) in combination with paclitaxel for patients with advanced metastatic or recurrent biliary tract cancers, showing promise in heavily pre-treated patients resistant to anti-VEGF therapies [9]