Elevar Therapeutics Advances HCC and Oncology Programs for Rivoceranib Plus Camrelizumab at ESMO 2024

FORT LEE, N.J., Sept. 12, 2024 – Elevar Therapeutics, Inc., a subsidiary mainly owned by HLB Co., Ltd., will present three posters at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, from Sept. 13-17. These posters showcase the sustained safety and effectiveness of the combination treatment of rivoceranib and camrelizumab as a first-line systemic therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Additionally, the potential of rivoceranib combined with other immune checkpoint inhibitors for treating various solid tumors will be highlighted. Chris Galloway, M.D., Senior Vice President of Clinical and Medical Affairs at Elevar Therapeutics, emphasized the promising results and their implications for future treatment options.

The first study, presented in Poster 985P (Abstract 5451), focuses on the analysis of antidrug antibodies (ADAs) in the CARES-310 Phase 3 study (NCT03764293) for treating unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). The findings indicate that ADAs have minimal impact on pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety. Therefore, continuous monitoring of ADAs is deemed unnecessary. This trial was the first to demonstrate significant progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival benefits using a combination of immunotherapy and an anti-angiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) as opposed to standard TKI therapy for uHCC.

The second study, detailed in Poster 963P (Abstract 5635), assesses the quality-adjusted time without symptoms or toxicity (Q-TWiST) through the Phase 3 CARES-310 study. It illustrates that the combination of camrelizumab and rivoceranib offers clinically meaningful quality-adjusted survival benefits over sorafenib for uHCC patients, despite the higher incidence of adverse effects, which is attributed to the longer treatment duration.

The third study, presented in Poster 1013P (Abstract 2318), reports on a Phase 1 clinical study (NCT03396211) combining rivoceranib with nivolumab for patients with advanced metastatic solid tumors. The results show a manageable safety profile and significant antitumor efficacy, with a reduction in tumor size over time. Further studies are necessary to confirm these encouraging results.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global health issue, with over 800,000 new diagnoses each year and more than 700,000 annual deaths. HCC is the most common form of primary liver cancer, often arising from chronic liver inflammation due to various causes, both viral and non-viral. The prognosis for HCC remains poor, with limited treatment options available, underscoring the urgent need for effective therapies.

Rivoceranib is a highly potent small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that targets the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) pathway, a key mechanism in tumor angiogenesis. Rivoceranib is being investigated both as a monotherapy and in combination with other treatments across various solid tumors, including unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, adenoid cystic carcinoma, and colorectal cancer. It was the first TKI approved for gastric cancer in China in 2014 and has been studied in over 6,000 patients worldwide, demonstrating a favorable safety profile.

Camrelizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the PD-1 receptor, is developed by Hengrui Pharma. It has been evaluated in over 5,000 patients in various clinical trials and is approved in China for multiple indications, including as a monotherapy for HCC and in combination with rivoceranib for unresectable HCC. Camrelizumab works by blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, an effective mechanism across many solid and hematological cancers. It has received Orphan Drug Designation for advanced HCC from both the U.S. FDA and the EMA.

In October 2023, Elevar Therapeutics acquired the global rights (excluding Greater China and Korea) to camrelizumab from Hengrui Pharma, further expanding its potential market reach and impact.