CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cue Biopharma, Inc. (Cue), an immunotherapy company developing biologic therapeutics engineered to selectively target and modulate disease-relevant T cell subsets to treat cancer and autoimmune disease, announced the selection of its lead candidate, Cue-101, which targets human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers. The Company expects Cue-101 to enter the clinic in the first half of 2018.

Cue-101 couples Interleukin-2 (IL-2) with a T cell antigen (HPV-E7 oncoprotein) in a single biologic to target and activate T cells specific to HPV-associated cancers. Focusing the signaling effects of IL-2 on disease relevant anti-tumor T cells holds the promise of maximizing efficacy while avoiding the collateral toxicity associated with systemic administration of this cytokine. Further, Cue’s selective T cell activation approach enables synergistic combinations with existing therapies, such as checkpoint inhibitors, with lower compounded toxicities.

“In the preclinical setting, Cue-101 monotherapy demonstrates potent anti-tumor activity in HPV-driven cancer models, and shows durable tumor clearance when combined with checkpoint inhibitors,” said Daniel Passeri, M.Sc., J.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Cue Biopharma. “We consider Cue-101 to be exemplary of our approach and represents the first of our growing pipeline of targeted immunomodulatory biologics that tailor immune responses from disease-relevant T cells by emulating the signals delivered by the body’s antigen presenting cells. We are excited about the data we have seen so far, and look forward to moving this promising program forward.”

About Cue Biopharma

Immune Responses, On Cue. Cue Biopharma™ (Cue) is an immunotherapy company developing biologics engineered to selectively communicate with disease-relevant T cell subsets to treat cancer and autoimmune disease. Cue biologics have the potential to be highly effective as monotherapies as well as synergistic with existing checkpoint inhibitors, while reducing collateral toxicities often seen with less selective immunotherapies. Through this platform approach, Cue has developed a promising pipeline with its lead candidate currently approaching the clinic. Headquartered in Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA, Cue is led by a strong, experienced management team and scientific/clinical advisory board with deep expertise in the design and clinical development of protein biologics, immunology and immuno-oncology.

For more information, visit www.cuebio.com.