What's Happening?
Phanes Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotech company, has announced the dosing of the first patient in its clinical study of spevatamig combined with chemotherapy for treating biliary tract carcinoma (BTC). Spevatamig is a bispecific antibody targeting claudin 18.2 and CD47, and has received orphan drug designation for pancreatic cancer treatment. The study, known as the TWINPEAK trial, is evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of spevatamig in patients with advanced gastric, gastroesophageal junction, pancreatic ductal, or biliary tract adenocarcinomas. Phanes is also collaborating with Merck to study spevatamig in combination with pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 therapy.
Why It's Important?
The initiation of this clinical trial marks a significant step in the development of new treatments for biliary tract carcinoma, a cancer with limited therapeutic options. The use of spevatamig, a first-in-class bispecific antibody, could potentially offer a novel approach to targeting cancer cells. This development is crucial for advancing cancer treatment and could lead to improved outcomes for patients with BTC and other related cancers. The collaboration with Merck further enhances the potential impact of this study, leveraging pembrolizumab's established efficacy in cancer treatment.
What's Next?
The TWINPEAK study will continue to recruit patients and evaluate the effects of spevatamig in combination with chemotherapy. As the trial progresses, Phanes Therapeutics will monitor the safety and efficacy of the treatment, potentially leading to further clinical trials and eventual regulatory approval. The collaboration with Merck may also expand to include additional studies or treatment combinations, depending on the outcomes of the current trial.
