Xencor (XNCR) Doses First Patient In Myeloid Leukemia Trial

Xencor, Inc. (NASDAQ:XNCR) announced that the first patient has been dosed in a phase I trial on lead candidate XmAb14045 for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other CD123-expressing hematologic malignancies.

The trial will evaluate the safety and tolerability of weekly intravenous administration of XmAb14045 and determine the maximally tolerated dose/dosing schedule. The trial will enrol approximately 60 patients with AML or other CD123-expressing hematologic malignancies who will receive XmAb14045.

The candidate showed efficacy and potent depletion of target cells in primate studies from a well-tolerated single IV dose.

We note that XmAb14045 is Xencor's lead bispecific candidate. The company earlier inked a collaboration agreement with Swiss major Novartis (NYSE:NVS) .

As per the agreement terms, the companies will collaborate to develop and commercialize two pipeline candidates – XmAb14045 and XmAb13676 (to enter clinical development for B-cell malignancies in 2016). The companies will share the cost of the development of the candidates. While Xencor will retain commercialization rights in the U.S., Novartis will own the marketing rights in the rest of the world.

Additionally, Novartis will receive worldwide rights to Xencor's bispecific technology to develop and commercialize four targets. These targets will be selected by Novartis and Xencor may elect to co-detail one of these targets in the U.S. Novartis will also receive a worldwide non-exclusive license to use Xencor's XmAb Fc technologies in up to 10 molecules.Xencor currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A couple of well placed stocks in the healthcare stocks include Pacira Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:PCRX) and ANI Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ANIP) . Both these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here

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