Aduro BioTech, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADRO) announced that it has dosed the first patient in a phase I study, evaluating its lead STING Activator candidate, ADU-S100, in combination with Bristol-Myers’ (NYSE:BMY) Yervoy (ipilimumab) for the treatment of relapsed/refractory melanoma.
Earlier, ADU-S100 was being evaluated as a single agent. However, the protocol was amended later to include the evaluation of ADU-S100 in combination with Yervoy on a homogeneous patient population.
Shares of Aduro were up almost 5.4% following the news on Monday. However, the stock has plunged 42.9% in the past year, wider than the industry’s decrease of 17.6%.
This study is part of Aduro’s ongoing research and development collaboration with Novartis (NYSE:NVS) for ADU-S100. The same will enroll patients afflicted with advanced melanoma, who have relapsed after or are refractory to other anti-PD-1 antibodies, such as Bristol-Myers’ Opdivo (nivolumab) or Merck’s (NYSE:MRK) Keytruda (pembrolizumab).
ADU-S100 is also being evaluated in a phase I program as a monotherapy on patients with cutaneously accessible metastatic solid tumors or lymphomas. Top-line data from the same is expected soon.
Aduro is also conducting a phase Ib analysis to assess ADU-S100 in combination with Novartis’ PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor, PDR001, for treating solid tumors and lymphomas.
Notably, Aduro has been pursuing acquisitions and agreements to help sponsor its pipeline development.
We would like to remind investors that last December, Aduro entered into an exclusive collaboration and license agreement with pharma giant Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) to develop novel immunotherapies for autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases by leveraging its cGAS-STING inhibitor platform.
Moreover, the company has granted Janssen Biotech, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), an exclusive, worldwide license to develop its cancer candidates, namely ADU-214 and ADU-741.
Zacks Rank
Aduro currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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