arGEN-X exercises option on ARGX-115 to target immune checkpoint in cancer

Clinical-stage biopharma company arGEN-X (Euronext Brussels: ARGX) has exercised its option to exclusively license preclinical therapeutic antibody candidate, now called ARGX-115 , to target GARP, an immune checkpoint with potential in cancer immunotherapy.

The antibody candidate was discovered under arGEN-X’s Innovative Access Program with de Duve Institute/Université Catholique de Louvain.

Tim Van Hauwermeiren, chief executive of arGEN-X, said: "Cancer immunotherapy continues to be one of the most exciting approaches to treating cancer, but also one that is rapidly evolving. Application of immune checkpoint inhibitors have come more into focus, specifically in combination regimens in order to achieve the best possible patient outcomes. Preclinical results illustrate the exciting potential of ARGX-115 as a first-in-class antibody targeting GARP, a novel immune checkpoint and a target we believe to play a key role in the ability of tumors to escape the patient’s immune system.”