Oxford BioTherapeutics is Pioneering the Discovery of Novel Oncology Targets for Solid Tumours

OBT076 is an antibody-drug conjugate currently in Phase 1b clinical trials. It employs a potential dual mechanism of action, not only directly targeting cancer cells but also re-engaging the patient’s immune system. By depleting immunosuppressive dendritic cells, OBT076 has the potential to reactivate the immune system and promote the induction and activation of T-cells to enhance the anti-tumor response. In January 2024, the first patient was dosed in a Phase 1b trial with OBT076 for recurrent or metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare subtype of head and neck cancer. Sponsored by GORTEC, a European oncology consortium focused on head and neck cancers, the trial (NCT05930951) is being led by Professor Jean Bourhis, MD, PhD, Chief of Radiation Oncology at Lausanne University Hospital. Conducted at around 15 sites across France, Belgium, and Switzerland, the trial is evaluating OBT076 as both a monotherapy and as in sequential therapy, i.e. OBT076 followed by switch to balstilimab, a PD-1 blocking antibody provided through a collaboration with Agenus (Nasdaq: AGEN).