Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited, a Japan-based pharmaceutical company, announced on Thursday that the first patient has been dosed in a first-in-human global phase 1 study evaluating DS-1055.

The product is a GARP directed immuno-oncology therapy, for patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumours who have progressed on standard treatments including checkpoint inhibitors. GARP is highly expressed on activated regulatory T cells (Tregs) and contributes to their immunosuppressive activity. Research suggests that targeting GARP on Tregs may be a promising new immune intervention strategy. There are no GARP directed therapies currently approved for cancer treatment.

Arnaud Lesegretain, vice president, Global Oncology Development, Alpha Portfolio, Daiichi Sankyo, said, 'We are pleased to initiate clinical development to further evaluate the novel mechanism behind DS-1055, which was specifically designed to decrease the number of GARP expressing regulatory T cells and restore antitumor immune response. Evidence suggests that DS-1055 could serve as a new type of immune-based therapy for patients with various cancers, including those resistant or refractory to checkpoint inhibitors.'