Media & Investors

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Sept. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:CALA), 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, today announced that data for its drug candidate CB-839, an orally bioavailable glutaminase inhibitor, will be presented at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), which is being held from November 10 to November 12, 2017, at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.  Clinical results to be presented include data from Calithera’s trial of CB-839 dosed in combination with Opdivo® (nivolumab) in patients with advanced melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, or non-small cell lung cancer.  The trial is the subject of a clinical collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb.

A phase 1/2 study of CB-839, a first-in-class glutaminase inhibitor, combined with nivolumab in patients with advanced melanoma, renal cell carcinoma or non-small cell lung cancer.
Presenter: Dr.  Funda Meric-Bernstam, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Session: Clinical Trials: Novel Combinations
Session Date and Time: November 11, 2017, 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET

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 an 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 2 clinical trials.  CB-1158 is an investigational immuno-oncology metabolic checkpoint inhibitor designed to target arginase, a critical immunosuppressive enzyme responsible for T-cell suppression by myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). 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. CB-1158 is being developed in collaboration with Incyte Corporation and is currently in a Phase I clinical trial. Calithera is headquartered in South San Francisco, California. For more information about Calithera, please visit http://www.calithera.com/.

Forward-Looking Statement
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.  These statements include those related to the safety, tolerability and efficacy of CB-839, Calithera’s plans to continue development of CB-839 in combination therapy for clear cell renal cell carcinoma, the potential for combining nivolumab (marketed as Opdivo) withCB-839 to drive improved and sustained efficacy in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and other cancers, including NSCLC and melanoma, and the advancement of CB-839 in clinical trials.  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 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K 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:

Calithera Biosciences
Jennifer McNealey
650-870-1071
ir@Calithera.com 

Source: Calithera Biosciences, Inc.