Merus Inc. (NASDAQ: (MRUS) stock gained by 28.40% in the current market trading session. Merus is a clinical-stage cancer business that is producing Multiclonics, which are full-length human bispecific and tri-specific antibody therapies.

MRUS stock’ Important Development

At the AACR-NCI-EORTC Virtual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, Merus discussed clinical data on MCLA-158, highlighting clinical responses found in advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), as well as preclinical data on zenocutuzumab (Zeno).

• People with high head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) administered with MCLA-158 showed tumor reduction and partial responses.
• In preclinical trials, Zeno was found to be 100 times more effective than an anti-HER3 antibody alone at inhibiting cell proliferation.

MCLA-158, also known as petosemtamab, is an ADCC-enhanced human IgG1 Biclonics that is targeted to attach to cancer stem cells (CSCs) that exhibit the leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5) and epidermal growth factor receptor 5 (EGFR5) (EGFR). MCLA-158 binding causes EGFR degradation in LGR5+ CSCs in preclinical studies and is intended to have two distinct modes of action. The first involves inhibiting cancer-initiating cells’ growth and survival mechanisms. The second uses immune effector cell recruitment and augmentation to destroy cancer starting cells that survive in solid tumors and can lead to recurrence and metastasis.

Moreover,

Zeno is a Biclonics that uses the Merus Dock & Block method to improve antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). In solid tumors with NRG1 gene fusions (NRG1+), it suppresses the neuregulin/HER3 tumor-signaling pathway. Zeno has the ability to be very successful against tumors that are NRG1+. Zeno also suppresses the development of HER2/HER3 heterodimers and tumor growth in models with NRG1 fusions in preclinical investigations.

Dr. Andrew Joe, Chief Medical Officer at Merus, commented,

Initial evidence of MCLA-158’s clinical efficacy in individuals with severe, previously treated HNSCC is encouraging, which is further confirming the platform’s promise. Their preclinical research on Zeno is continuing to support the processes through which Zeno can effectively limit the development of NRG1 fusion tumors.