BioClin Therapeutics raised $30 million in a Series B round of financing so that it can expand Phase I/II trials with its lead monoclonal antibody (mAb) candidate B-701 as second-line therapy in metastatic bladder cancer patients. The fundraising was led by new investors Sofinnova Ventures and Ysios Capital. Existing investors HealthCap, Life Sciences Partners (LSP), and Tekla Capital Management also participated.
B-701 is a human mAb targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3 ). Proceeds from the Series B will be used to evaluate B-701 for the treatment of patients with metastatic bladder cancer, or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC), who have relapsed or are refractory to platinum therapy.
Joël Jean-Mairet, Ph.D., of Ysios Capital, commented, “Over the past couple years, there has been significant scientific advancement and understanding of FGFR3 biology and bladder cancer, both for FGFR3 itself as a possible driver for metastatic bladder cancer, as well as its potential role in tumor inflammation. We are very enthusiastic about the B-701 program and its potential for enhancing the treatment effects of checkpoint inhibitors.”
B-701 is currently undergoing a Phase Ib/II trial in metastatic bladder patients, which will include cohorts of patients with FGFR3 mutation or fusion, in combination with docetaxel. A separate study is evaluating B-701 combined with atezolizumab in mUC patients, including patients with tumors that overexpress FGFR3 or exhibit mutated or fusion FGFR3. An investigator-sponsored study evaluating the combination of B-701 and pembrolizumab in mUC patients is also ongoing.
B-701 is BioClin’s primary asset and is also undergoing preclinical testing for achondroplasia, a condition in which the firms says nearly 98% of individuals demonstrate a single point mutation in the FGFR3 gene.
