HCW Biologics Shares the Latest Data for its Second-Generation Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Presented at the 40th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer

Core Insights - HCW Biologics Inc. announced the latest data for its first-in-class immune checkpoint inhibitor, HCW11-040, at the SITC2025 conference, highlighting its potential in treating cancer and age-related diseases [1][3] Company Overview - HCW Biologics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel immunotherapies aimed at extending healthspan by addressing chronic inflammation and age-related diseases [4][6] - The company has developed a new drug discovery technology, the TRBC platform, which allows for the creation of various classes of immunotherapeutic compounds [6] Product Candidate Details - HCW11-040 is a multi-functional fusion protein that combines IL-15 and IL-7 domains with a TGF-β trap, demonstrating PD-1/PD-L1 blocking activity comparable to pembrolizumab in preclinical studies [2][5] - Preclinical data indicates that HCW11-040 significantly expands and activates TPEX cells and enhances anti-tumor activity of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells against cancer cells without causing excessive inflammatory responses [3][5] Development Plans - The company plans to advance additional IND-enabling studies for HCW11-040, including the establishment of a high-expression manufacturing cell bank and preclinical toxicology studies [3]