PB003A

PB003A is a preclinical-stage anti-cancer drug candidate developed by Pure Biologics. It is designed as a bi-functional fusion protein (bifunctional therapeutic molecule) that specifically targets integrin αVβ8. The drug aims to overcome tumor immune evasion by both depleting regulatory T cells (Tregs) expressing αVβ8 and directly promoting the killing of tumor cells that express this integrin. Unlike conventional anti-αVβ8 antibodies, PB003A fuses an antibody with ULBP2, a natural immunoligand for the NKG2D receptor found on cytotoxic NK and T cells in the tumor microenvironment. This design enables recruitment of more cytotoxic immune cells to tumors and enhances immune-mediated cell killing. The primary indication under development is cancer (neoplasms), including solid tumors such as lung, colorectal, head and neck, and breast cancers[1][2][4][8].