Media & Investors

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Sept. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:CALA), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs directed against tumor metabolism and tumor immunology targets for the treatment of cancer, today announced that clinical data for its lead drug candidate CB-839, the company's novel, orally bioavailable glutaminase inhibitor, will be presented at the 28th Annual EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, which is being held from November 29 to December 2, 2016 in Munich, Germany.  Clinical results to be presented in a plenary session will be focused on data from Calithera’s CB-839 Phase I combination trial with everolimus in renal cell carcinoma.

Phase 1 Study of CB-839, a small molecule inhibitor of glutaminase, in combination with everolimus in patients with clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinoma

Presenter: Funda Meric-Bernstam, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Plenary Session 2, Proffered Paper Session, Room 14

Wednesday, November 30, 2016, 4:30 p.m. CET

Two additional posters will be presented with preclinical results from CB-839 and the company’s novel metabolic immune checkpoint inhibitor CB-1158, respectively.

CB-839, a selective glutaminase inhibitor, has anti-tumor activity in renal cell carcinoma and synergizes with everolimus and receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Presenter: Ethan Emberley, Calithera Biosciences

Poster Session: Molecular Targeted Agents II, Board P055

Thursday, December 1, 2016, 10:15 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CET

Arginase inhibitor CB-1158 elicits immune-mediated anti-tumor responses as a single agent and enhances the efficacy of other immunotherapies

Presenter: Suzanne Steggerda, Calithera Biosciences

Poster Session: Immunotherapy, Board P121

Wednesday, November 30, 2016, 10:15 a.m.-5:00 CET

About Calithera Biosciences

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs directed against tumor metabolism and tumor immunology targets for the treatment of cancer.  Calithera’s lead product candidate, CB-839, is a potent, selective, reversible and orally bioavailable inhibitor of glutaminase. CB-839 takes advantage of the pronounced dependency many cancers have on the nutrient glutamine for growth and survival. It is currently being evaluated in Phase 1/2 clinical trials in combination with standard of care agents.  CB-1158 is a first-in-class immuno-oncology metabolic checkpoint inhibitor targeting arginase, a critical immunosuppressive enzyme responsible for T-cell suppression by myeloid-derived suppressor cells.  Arginase depletes arginine, a nutrient that is critical for the activation, growth and survival of the body’s cancer-fighting immune cells, known as cytotoxic T-cells.  Calithera is headquartered in South San Francisco, California.  For more information about Calithera, please visit www.calithera.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "poised" and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions, or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  The potential product candidates that Calithera develops may not progress through clinical development or receive required regulatory approvals within expected timelines or at all. In addition, clinical trials may not confirm any safety, potency or other product characteristics described or assumed in this press release.  Such product candidates may not be beneficial to patients or successfully commercialized.  The failure to meet expectations with respect to any of the foregoing matters may have a negative effect on Calithera's stock price.  Additional information concerning these and other risk factors affecting Calithera's business can be found in Calithera's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, Calithera disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

CONTACT:
Jennifer McNealeyir@Calithera.com
650-870-1071