Merus Begins Phase 2 Petosemtamab Trial in 2L CRC

July 08, 2024 -- Merus N.V. (Nasdaq: MRUS), a clinical-stage oncology company specializing in the development of innovative, full-length multispecific antibodies, has reported the commencement of dosing for the first patient in its phase 2 clinical trial. This trial is aimed at evaluating the efficacy of petosemtamab in combination with standard chemotherapy for second line (2L) treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Petosemtamab is a Biclonics® antibody that targets both EGFR and LGR5.

The ongoing phase 2, open-label study will investigate the safety and preliminary antitumor activity of petosemtamab alongside chemotherapy regimens FOLFIRI or FOLFOX in patients with 2L mCRC. The trial aims to enroll approximately 40 patients who have not been previously treated with EGFR inhibitors and whose tumors do not contain a KRAS mutation. While the trial will measure the level of EGFR expression in tumors, it will not use this measurement as a criterion for patient selection.

Peter Silverman, the Chief Operating Officer of Merus, expressed his satisfaction with the advancements in the petosemtamab clinical development program. He highlighted the significant clinical activity demonstrated by petosemtamab in head and neck cancers and expressed enthusiasm about exploring its potential in mCRC to provide new treatment options for patients battling this severe disease.

Petosemtamab, also known as MCLA-158, is a Biclonics® low-fucose human full-length IgG1 antibody engineered to target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5). It operates through three independent mechanisms: inhibiting EGFR-dependent signaling, promoting EGFR internalization and degradation in cancer cells via LGR5 binding, and enhancing antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP).

Merus N.V. is at the forefront of developing innovative full-length human bispecific and trispecific antibody therapies, referred to as Multiclonics®. These Multiclonics® are produced using standard industry processes and have shown in preclinical and clinical studies to possess several characteristics of conventional human monoclonal antibodies, such as extended half-life and minimal immunogenicity.

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