Agenus to Present Botensilimab and AGEN1721 Data at SITC 2024

Agenus Inc., based in Lexington, Massachusetts, has made strides in the field of immuno-oncology, focusing on the development of new agents to combat various cancers. At the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 2024 Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas, Agenus presented promising data on two of its investigational immunotherapy candidates: botensilimab and AGEN1721. These presentations were delivered by Dhan Chand, Ph.D., Vice President of Research at Agenus.

Botensilimab is an investigational, Fc-enhanced anti-CTLA-4 antibody that has demonstrated considerable effectiveness in overcoming immune resistance in several types of cancer such as glioblastoma, melanoma, colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancers. This innovative agent works by enhancing both the innate and adaptive immune responses, which helps in optimal T-cell priming, activation of antigen-presenting cells, and reduction of immune-suppressing regulatory T cells within the tumor environment. As a result, it initiates a comprehensive attack on tumors that are traditionally resistant to treatment.

According to Dr. Chand, the findings represent a crucial advancement in understanding how botensilimab can be effectively combined with other therapies. The effectiveness observed in traditionally resilient tumors offers new treatment possibilities for patients with limited options. Two key presentations on botensilimab at the conference included:

1. **Preclinical dose-pharmacokinetic-efficacy modeling of botensilimab using a mouse surrogate of the Fc-enhanced anti-CTLA-4 antibody**
- Location: Exhibit Halls A B George R. Brown Convention Center
- Date: Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 - Odd Number Posters
- Poster Hall Hours: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

2. **Fc-enhanced anti-CTLA-4 antibody, botensilimab, enhances the efficacy of multiple therapeutic modalities in immunotherapy-refractory tumor models**
- Location: Exhibit Halls A B George R. Brown Convention Center
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 - Even Number Posters
- Poster Hall Hours: 9 a.m.–8:30 p.m.

Additionally, the conference featured a presentation on AGEN1721, an Fc-enhanced bifunctional antibody that targets FAP and TGFβ. This first-in-class agent is designed to reshape the tumor microenvironment by depleting cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and neutralizing the immunosuppressive effects of TGFβ. By facilitating the infiltration and activation of T-cells, AGEN1721 transforms cold tumors into hot, immune-responsive environments, providing a new approach to addressing immune-excluded tumors.

Dr. Chand highlighted that AGEN1721 shows significant promise in overcoming barriers to immune infiltration within the tumor microenvironment, thus offering hope for more durable and effective responses in treatment-resistant cancers. The presentation at the conference included:

**AGEN1721, a first-in-class Fc-enhanced bifunctional antibody targeting FAP and TGFβ, remodels the tumor microenvironment to overcome cancer-associated fibroblast-mediated immune suppression**
- Location: Exhibit Halls A B George R. Brown Convention Center
- Date: Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 - Odd Number Posters
- Poster Hall Hours: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

Botensilimab is an investigational human Fc-enhanced CTLA-4 blocking antibody designed to enhance both innate and adaptive anti-tumor immune responses. Its innovative design aims to extend the benefits of immunotherapy to "cold" tumors, which generally respond poorly to standard treatments or are resistant to conventional PD-1/CTLA-4 therapies. By priming and activating T cells, reducing the number of intratumoral regulatory T cells, activating myeloid cells, and inducing long-term memory responses, botensilimab boosts immune responses across a variety of tumor types. Approximately 1,100 patients have been treated with botensilimab in phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials.

Agenus is a prominent immuno-oncology company founded in 1994, with the mission to expand the patient population benefiting from cancer immunotherapy through combination approaches. The company employs a comprehensive pipeline of antibody therapeutics, adoptive cell therapies (through MiNK Therapeutics), and adjuvants (through SaponiQx). Agenus has extensive development capabilities, including commercial and clinical cGMP manufacturing facilities, research and discovery, and a global clinical operations presence.