Faron Founders, bexmarilimab Developers Finalists for European Inventor Award 2024

Dr. Markku Jalkanen and Dr. Sirpa Jalkanen, co-founders of Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd., have been recognized as finalists in the 'SMEs' category of the European Inventor Award 2024. This prestigious nomination acknowledges their groundbreaking research in the development of bexmarilimab, an innovative immunotherapy aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of cancer treatments. The nomination underscores the significance of their work in reprogramming myeloid cells to activate anti-tumor immunity within both hematological and solid tumor settings.

Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd., based in Turku, Finland, and Boston, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. It focuses on using a novel approach to reprogram myeloid cells to activate anti-tumor immunity. This method aims to combat resistance in cancer treatments and improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Markku Jalkanen, a Board member and former CEO, along with Dr. Sirpa Jalkanen, a member of Faron’s Scientific Advisory Board, have been instrumental in the development of bexmarilimab. This investigational precision cancer immunotherapy targets the Clever-1 receptor on macrophages, which are crucial in the immune system. By targeting these receptors, bexmarilimab aims to activate anti-tumor immunity in various tumor microenvironments, offering hope for better clinical outcomes.

Bexmarilimab is currently under investigation in the BEXMAB trial, which is evaluating its safety and efficacy. This trial is particularly focused on patients with hypomethylating agents (HMAs)-refractory or relapsed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a type of aggressive myeloid leukemia with limited treatment options. The ongoing study aims to gather data on how bexmarilimab can be combined with standard care treatments to improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Markku Jalkanen expressed his gratitude for the European Patent Office’s recognition, noting that the nomination reinforces the potential impact of bexmarilimab on cancer treatment paradigms. He highlighted the promising data from the ongoing Phase I/II BEXMAB trial, which continues to affirm the belief in bexmarilimab's ability to enhance the quality of life for patients with aggressive hematological cancers.

The European Inventor Award, launched by the European Patent Office in 2006, is one of Europe’s most esteemed innovation awards. It celebrates inventors who have transformed their ideas into solutions addressing significant global challenges. The award recognizes individuals and their contributions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Faron Pharmaceuticals is committed to tackling cancers through novel immunotherapies. The company's main focus is on developing bexmarilimab, a humanized antibody designed to target the Clever-1 receptor. This receptor is found on macrophages and is associated with immunosuppression in cancers. Bexmarilimab works by altering the tumor microenvironment, reprogramming macrophages from an immunosuppressive state to an active one that can stimulate the immune system and enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments.

The BEXMAB study is an open-label Phase 1/2 clinical trial investigating bexmarilimab in combination with standard treatments in aggressive hematological malignancies like acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The trial aims to determine the safety and tolerability of bexmarilimab when used alongside standard care treatments, such as azacitidine. By directly targeting the Clever-1 receptor, bexmarilimab has the potential to limit cancer cell replication, increase antigen presentation, ignite an immune response, and improve the efficacy of current treatments.

Bexmarilimab represents a significant advancement in cancer immunotherapy by overcoming resistance to existing treatments. By targeting myeloid cell function and igniting the immune system, it offers a promising new approach to cancer treatment, especially for patients with limited options.