Aduro Biotech, Inc. has earned a $2 million milestone payment under its worldwide licensing agreement with Merck for work supporting the preparation of an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) for its anti-CD27 antibody.

CD27 is a co-stimulatory receptor expressed on different immune cells, such as T-lymphocytes and NK (natural killer) cells. It plays an important role in priming, enhancing and sustaining a productive anti-cancer (CD8 T-cell) adaptive immune response. In preclinical studies, anti-CD27 activation in combination with immune checkpoint inhibition has demonstrated the ability to achieve complete tumor eradication.  

“We are pleased with the progress being made on the preclinical development of the anti-CD27 antibody, which was created with our proprietary B-select monoclonal antibody technology and selected by Merck for continued development,” said Hans van Eenennaam, Ph.D., chief operational officer, Aduro Biotech Europe.  “Aduro’s anti-CD27 antibody targets the CD27 co-stimulatory pathway, an important component in stimulating an anti-cancer immune response.  We look forward to working closely with Merck in their effort to advance this promising and novel approach in the field of immunotherapy into clinical development.”