ROCHESTER, N.Y., Dec. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vaccinex, Inc. (Nasdaq: VCNX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company engaged in the discovery and development of targeted biotherapeutics to treat serious diseases and conditions with unmet medical needs, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune disorders, today announces preclinical data on the company’s anti-SEMA4D, in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, was published online in the peer-reviewed journal, Cancer Immunology Research.
The paper elucidates a role for Vaccinex’s anti-SEMA4D monoclonal antibody, the technology on which its lead compound VX15 (pepinemab) is based, in reducing function and recruitment of myeloid derived suppressor cells within the tumor, a key mechanism of resistance to immune checkpoint blockade. The study examined combination therapy with SEMA4D blockade plus CTLA-4 or PD-1 blockade and we believe demonstrated an enhanced rejection of tumors or delay in their growth, which resulted in prolonged survival using each treatment.
“This preclinical study helped inform the development of VX15 (pepinemab) and the initiation of several Phase 1 and 1b/2 combination trials with checkpoint inhibitors,” commented Maurice Zauderer, Ph.D., CEO of Vaccinex, Inc. “We continue to be pleased with the progress of those trials and are gratified by the published validation of our research to date. We look forward to continued milestones with this technology and to sharing these outcomes with patients, physicians and investors.”
About Vaccinex, Inc.
Vaccinex, Inc. is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company engaged in the discovery and development of targeted biotherapeutics to treat serious diseases and conditions with unmet medical needs, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune disorders, with currently active clinical trials in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Huntington’s disease. Vaccinex is based in Rochester, New York.
Forward-Looking Statements
To the extent that statements contained in this press release are not descriptions of historical facts regarding Vaccinex, Inc. (“Vaccinex,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), they are forward-looking statements reflecting management’s current beliefs and expectations. Words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “potential,” “advance,” and similar expressions or their negatives (as well as other words and expressions referencing future events, conditions, or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our research and pre-clinical development programs, clinical development programs, future results, performance, or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, uncertainties inherent in the execution, cost and completion of preclinical and clinical trials, uncertainties related to regulatory approval, risks related to our dependence on our lead product candidate pepinemab (VX15), and other matters that could affect our development plans or the commercial potential of our product candidates. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause future results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement, see the section titled “Risk Factors” in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the other risks and uncertainties described in our prospectus for our initial public offering dated August 9, 2018, filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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