BriaCell's Subsidiary, BriaPro, Develops Novel Antibodies to Anti-Cancer Target B7-H3
Rhea-AI Summary
BriaCell Therapeutics Corp (Nasdaq: BCTX, BCTXW) and its subsidiary BriaPro have announced the development of novel antibodies targeting B7-H3, a significant cancer antigen and immune checkpoint molecule. The technology, for which US patent applications have been filed, aims to create antibody-drug conjugates, T cell engagers, and targeted immune checkpoint inhibitors.
B7-H3 is highly expressed on both tumor and immune cells, making it an ideal target for cancer treatment. The protein is overexpressed in various solid tumors, including prostate, lung, breast, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers, while showing expression in normal tissues. BriaPro plans to incorporate these antibodies into its Bria-TILsRx™ platform, designed to redirect and activate T cells within the tumor microenvironment.
Positive
- Development of novel high-affinity antibodies targeting B7-H3, a promising cancer treatment target
- Filed US patent applications with plans for international patent filing
- Technology applicable to multiple cancer types including prostate, lung, breast, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers
- expression in normal tissues reduces risk of off-target toxicity
Negative
- Technology still in early development phase with only in vitro data available
- No clinical trial results or efficacy data in human patients yet
Insights
BriaCell's announcement represents early-stage but strategically significant pipeline expansion through its subsidiary BriaPro. The development of novel antibodies targeting B7-H3 is noteworthy for several reasons:
B7-H3 represents a compelling dual-mechanism target - it's both expressed on cancer cells (making it a direct target for cell killing) and functions as an immune checkpoint (potentially releasing the brakes on immune response). This dual functionality allows for multiple therapeutic approaches from the same antibody program.
The company plans multiple development paths including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), T cell engagers, and checkpoint inhibitors. This diversified approach maximizes potential applications while leveraging the same core technology.
B7-H3's expression profile - abundant in various solid tumors while in normal tissues - creates an ideal therapeutic window that could optimize efficacy while minimizing toxicity risks. The target's presence across multiple cancer types (prostate, lung, breast, pancreatic, ovarian) indicates potential broad-spectrum applications.
While still preclinical with only in vitro data so far, the patent filings establish intellectual property protection. The mention that B7-H3 antibodies are "highly sought after" by pharmaceutical companies suggests potential partnering opportunities should preclinical data prove promising.
This development complements BriaCell's existing cell-based immunotherapy platform, potentially creating synergistic treatment approaches. However, investors should recognize this remains years away from potential commercialization, with significant development hurdles ahead before reaching clinical testing.
- BriaPro is developing novel antibodies to B7-H3, a key cancer antigen and immune checkpoint
- Highly expressed on the cell surfaces of both tumor and immune cells, B7-H3 is a promising anti-cancer target for drugs both effecting cancer cells and blocking immune checkpoint activity
- BriaPro expects to advance anti-B7-H3 antibodies into development of proprietary antibody-drug conjugates, T cell engagers, and targeted immune checkpoint inhibitors with potential applications in multiple cancer indications
- BriaPro has filed US patent applications for this technology
PHILADELPHIA and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq: BCTX, BCTXW) (TSX: BCT) (“BriaCell”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops novel immunotherapies to transform cancer care, and its majority owned subsidiary, BriaPro Therapeutics Corp. (“BriaPro”), are pleased to announce that BriaPro is developing novel, high affinity antibodies to B7-H3, a key player in cancer progression, using molecular modeling techniques. BriaPro has filed provisional US patent applications for the corresponding technology and plans on filing an international patent application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
As both an immune checkpoint molecule that regulates T cell activity and a cell surface molecule expressed on many types of cancer cells, B7-H3 is a promising drug target. BriaPro plans on developing anti-B7-H3 antibodies for multiple cancer indications and plans to incorporate them into its Bria-TILsRx™ platform—a proprietary antibody platform designed to redirect and activate T cells within the tumor microenvironment. This platform integrates both T cell engagers, which promote T cell-mediated tumor killing, and tumor-targeted immune checkpoint modulators, which selectively block inhibitory signals on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) to enhance their anti-tumor activity.
“B7-H3 is overexpressed in a broad range of solid tumors (including prostate, lung, breast, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers) while showing limited expression in normal tissues. This makes it an ideal target to selectively activate tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and drive potentially potent anti-tumor responses with reduced risk of off-target toxicity,” stated Miguel Lopez-Lago, PhD, BriaCell and BriaPro CSO.
“Given our encouraging in vitro data, we are optimistic that our novel anti-B7-H3 technology will demonstrate anti-cancer activity in preclinical models and look forward to advancing to cancer patients,” stated Markus D. Lacher, PhD, a key inventor of the technology.
“Antibodies targeting B7-H3 are highly sought after by multiple pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies,” stated Dr. William V. Williams, BriaCell and BriaPro President & CEO. “We expect that BriaPro's novel anti-B7-H3 antibodies will be synergistic with BriaCell's current cell-based immuno-oncology platform which includes BriaCell’s novel cell-based immunotherapy, and personalized off-the-shelf approaches.”
About BriaCell Therapeutics Corp.
BriaCell is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops novel immunotherapies to transform cancer care. More information is available at https://briacell.com/.
About BriaPro Therapeutics Corp.
BriaPro is a pre-clinical stage immunotherapy company developing binding agents and proteins with the intention to boost the ability of the body’s own cancer-fighting cells to destroy cancerous tumors.
Safe Harbor
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements, including those about BriaPro’s plans to file an international patent application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty; B7-H3 being a promising drug target; BriaPro’s plans to develop anti-B7-H3 antibodies for multiple cancer indications and to incorporate them into incorporate them into its Bria-TILsRx™ platform; whether B7-H3 is an ideal target to selectively activate tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and drive potentially potent anti-tumor responses with reduced risk of off-target toxicity; whether the anti-B7-H3 technology will demonstrate anti-cancer activity in preclinical models and advance to cancer patients; and the anti-B7-H3 antibodies being synergistic with BriaCell’s current cell-based immuno-oncology platform are based on BriaCell and BriaPro’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully under the heading “Risks and Uncertainties” in BriaCell and BriaPro's most recent Management’s Discussion and Analysis, under the heading "Risk Factors" in BriaCell's most recent Annual Information Form, and under “Risks and Uncertainties” in: (i) BriaCell's other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and (ii) BriaPro's other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, all of which are available under BriaCell and BriaPro’s profiles on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on BriaCell's profile on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date. BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. and BriaPro Therapeutics Corp. undertake no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contact Information
BriaCell and BriaPro Contact:
William V. Williams, MD
President & CEO, BriaCell and BriaPro
1-888-485-6340
info@briacell.com
Investor Relations Contact:
investors@briacell.com
FAQ
What is the significance of BriaPro's B7-H3 antibody development for BCTXW investors?
How does BriaPro's B7-H3 antibody technology work in cancer treatment?
Which types of cancer can BriaPro's new B7-H3 antibody technology target?
What is the current development stage of BriaPro's B7-H3 antibody technology?
How does the B7-H3 antibody integrate with BriaCell's existing cancer treatment platform?
