Agenus reports promising sarcoma study results

LEXINGTON, Mass. - Agenus Inc . (NASDAQ:AGEN), an immuno-oncology company with a market capitalization of $85 million, revealed study results published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology that demonstrate the efficacy of their drug combination in treating metastatic sarcomas. Despite showing strong revenue growth of 59% over the last twelve months, InvestingPro data indicates the company faces financial challenges while advancing its pipeline. The study focused on botensilimab (BOT) and balstilimab (BAL), which are designed to target "cold" tumors typically resistant to standard treatments.

The open-label multicenter trial enrolled patients with various sarcoma subtypes, including angiosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma. These patients had undergone multiple prior therapies, with some having received PD(L)-1 therapy. The trial administered BOT and BAL in combination for up to two years, with all patients being evaluated for safety and 52 for efficacy.

The overall response rate (ORR) for the study population was 19.2%, with angiosarcoma patients showing a 27.8% ORR. The disease control rate (DCR) was 65.4%, with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 4.4 months and a 36% PFS rate at 6 months. Notably, the median overall survival (OS) has not been reached, with a 12-month OS of 69%.

The treatment demonstrated durable responses in soft tissue sarcoma types and was well tolerated by patients. The most common treatment-related adverse event was diarrhea/colitis, which was manageable with early intervention. No Grade 4 or 5 treatment-related adverse events were reported.

Agenus emphasizes that these findings support the potential of the BOT/BAL combination to provide meaningful, durable benefits in various tumor types, particularly those resistant to existing checkpoint inhibitors. The data bolsters the rationale for broader investigation of this drug combination.

The company, founded in 1994, has a comprehensive pipeline of immunological agents targeting cancer through combination approaches. Agenus has end-to-end development capabilities, including commercial and clinical cGMP manufacturing facilities, research and discovery, and a global clinical operations footprint. Trading at $3.70, significantly below its 52-week high of $19.69, InvestingPro analysis suggests the stock may be undervalued. Investors seeking deeper insights can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, which provides detailed analysis of Agenus’s financial health, market position, and growth prospects among 1,400+ top US stocks.

This report is based on a press release statement from Agenus Inc. and does not constitute an endorsement of the company or its products.

In other recent news, Agenus Inc. has reported promising advancements in its cancer treatment therapy, botensilimab and balstilimab (BOT/BAL), particularly effective against microsatellite stable colorectal cancer. The company has secured a $22 million mortgage for its biologics facilities to reduce its cash burn to around $100 million by FY 2025. The initiation of the Phase 3 trial, expected in 2025, is contingent on securing financing through these means.

Agenus is also actively pursuing asset monetization and strategic transactions, having raised an additional $7.1 million post-quarter. The company has completed a meeting with the FDA regarding BOT/BAL treatment and is planning to present more mature Phase 2 data in 2025.

H.C. Wainwright maintained a neutral stance on Agenus’ stock, revising the share target to $7 from $8, reflecting concerns over increased expenses as the company progresses with its clinical programs. These are the recent developments in Agenus’s journey to potentially transform the landscape of cancer treatment.

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