As Vir validates bispecific masking hypothesis, Astellas buys in
New deal piggybacks off Vir’s Phase I data balancing safety and efficacy in mCRPC
Vir’s latest clinical readout supports proof of concept that conditionally active, masked T cell engagers can deliver on both safety and efficacy beyond that of the unmasked counterparts. The company’s new deal with Astellas — Vir’s first big cancer deal since shifting its focus from viral infections — is an early indicator of the industry’s growing confidence in the modality’s potential.
New data from the Phase I trial of T cell engager (TCE) VIR-5500 in PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) begin to validate the hypothesis that masking bispecifics can improve therapeutic index enough to drive better safety and efficacy. The data also helped Vir Biotechnology Inc. (NASDAQ:VIR) secure a global strategic collaboration, announced Feb. 23, with Astellas Pharma Inc. (Tokyo:4503) to advance the asset...