Vaccinex, Inc. announced that its licensee, Surface Oncology dosed the first patient in its Phase 1/2 clinical study investigating SRF114, an antibody discovered using Vaccinex's ActivMAb® antibody discovery platform and licensed to Surface Oncology in 2021. RF114 is a potential best-in-class, fully human monoclonal antibody targeting, CCR8. SRF114 was designed to selectively deplete immuno-suppressive tumor T regulatory cells (Tregs) while sparing peripheral Tregs.

The highly specific binding properties of the antibody are believed to position SRF114 as a potential best-in-class anti-CCR8 antibody as a monotherapy for the treatment of advanced solid tumors. Under the terms of the antibody discovery agreement, Vaccinex has the potential to receive progress-related clinical milestone payments and royalties on sales. Vaccinex has developed a proprietary mammalian cell-based antibody discovery platform with unique multi-pass membrane target capabilities.

The ActivMAb technology now has four main applications: complex membrane antigen presentation, antibody or antigen discovery, and protein optimization. Vaccinex has an antibody license agreement with Surface Oncology (Cambridge, MA) and the company is engaged in multiple other biopharmaceutical collaborations employing this enabling technology for drug discovery.