Aturo Biotech

BERKELEY, Calif., Sept. 9, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aduro Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADRO) announced today that it has entered into a clinical trial agreement with Incyte Corporation (Nasdaq:INCY) to evaluate the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of Aduro's lead LADD immunotherapy, CRS-207, in combination with Incyte's oral indoleamine dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibitor, epacadostat (INCB24360), in patients with ovarian cancer.

The combination of both investigational immunotherapeutic agents, which have different but complementary mechanisms directed at enhancing the body's own immune defenses, may provide unique synergies in fighting cancer. Incyte's epacadostat has been shown in vitro and in preclinical tumor models to enhance activities of multiple types of immune cells by reducing the immune suppression characteristic of the tumor microenvironment. Aduro's CRS-207 has been shown to stimulate immune cell activity, with particular targeting mechanisms that seek and attack tumor cells that express mesothelin like those found in ovarian cancer.

"There's a growing body of evidence and enthusiasm in the field of oncology to combine therapeutic agents with different mechanisms that may result in very powerful approaches to treating tough cancers," said Stephen T. Isaacs, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Aduro. "Incyte is a leader in the field of cancer immunotherapy and we're pleased to join forces with them to study a novel approach to treating ovarian cancer."