OncoC4 merged with AcroImmune

• An all-stock transaction between OncoC4, a biopharmaceutical business in its late stages, and AcroImmune has been completed.

• OncoC4 strengthens its development by adding two critical drug candidates, AI-061, a PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, and AI-071, a siglec agonist. The combined operation emphasizes cancer and inflammatory illnesses. 

• The purchase allows the company to construct an in-house clinical production facility as well as expand its research and development reach by opening a new site in China. 

OncoC4, a biopharmaceutical firm in its final phases of developing advanced cancer therapies, is merging with AcroImmune, a developer of immunotherapies for malignant tumors and inflammatory diseases. The merger produces first- and best-in-class immunotherapies.

Drs. Yang Liu and Pan Zheng co-founded OncoC4 and AcroImmune, and they share a common shareholder base. The combined firm was renamed OncoC4 Inc. with its corporate offices in Rockville, Maryland. The company merged in an all-stock deal, with Yang Liu as CEO. The combined business will have a broad pipeline of products and technologies. Furthermore, the company has expanded its R&D operations by creating additional R&D and manufacturing facilities in China.

AcroImmune’s planned Phase II study for acute respiratory illness is expected to start in Q4 2024, with another trial for immune-related adverse events in Q1 2025. AcroImmune is expected to file an IND submission for its second drug candidate, AI-08, in Q4 2024. The inclusion of immunotherapies will bolster and complement its extensive cancer program, especially for hard-to-treat cancers and hematological conditions. 

New OncoC4 will include the following pipeline products:

• Gotistobart (ONC-392) is a key medicine developed in collaboration with BioNTech for 2L IO-resistant NSCLC. Enrollment is now underway for the phase III study (NCT05671510), which is anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2025. OncoC4 is also developing gotistobart for advanced solid tumours. 

• AI-061, a PD-1 coformulation, is currently in phase I development for solid tumors.

• OncoC4 is developing ONC-841, a first-in-class SIGLEC 10, which received FDA IND approval in April 2024 for solid tumors. The acquisition complements the SIGLEC subtype with the addition of AI-071, which is expected to enter Phase I trials in H2, 2024. 

• Adding to this, OncoC4’s pipeline has three preclinical assets (ONC-782, ONC-783, and ONC-784) for cancer, including hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

Source: OncoC4