SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CALA), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel cancer therapeutics, today announced that three abstracts describing CB-839, the Company’s novel, orally bioavailable glutaminase inhibitor, will be presented at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), which is being held from June 1 to June 7, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.

Calithera’s collaborators will present the following results:

Phase I clinical trial of the glutaminase inhibitor CB-839 plus capecitabine in patients with advanced solid tumorsAbstract #2562Presenter: Jennifer R. Eads, M.D., Case Comprehensive Cancer CenterDate: June 4, 2018Poster Display: 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CT, Hall ADevelopmental Therapeutics--Clinical Pharmacology and Experimental TherapeuticsFunding for this study was provided in part by Stand Up To Cancer1.

Calithera and clinical collaborators will present two trials-in-progress abstracts, which describe the design of ongoing studies.

CANTATA: A randomized phase 2 study of CB-839 in combination with cabozantinib vs. placebo with cabozantinib in patients with advanced metastatic renal cell carcinoma.Abstract #TPS4601Presenter: Nizar M. Tannir, M.D., MD Anderson Cancer CenterDate: June 2, 2018Poster Display: 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CT, Hall AGenitourinary (Non-Prostate) Cancer

Novel PET/CT imaging biomarkers of CB-839 in combination with panitumumab and irinotecan in patients with metastatic and refractory RAS wildtype colorectal cancer: A phase I/II studyAbstract #TPS3616Presenter: Satya Das, M.D., Vanderbilt University Cancer CenterDate: June 3, 2018Poster Display: 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CT, Hall AGastrointestinal (Colorectal) Cancer

About CB-839

Calithera’s lead product candidate, CB-839, is a potent, selective, reversible and orally bioavailable inhibitor of glutaminase. CB-839’s onco-metabolism activity takes advantage of the unique metabolic requirements of tumor cells and cancer-fighting immune cells such as cytotoxic T-cells. It is currently being evaluated in Phase 2 clinical trials in multiple tumor types, in combination with standard of care agents.

About Calithera

Calithera is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on fighting cancer by discovering, developing, and commercializing novel small molecule drugs that target tumor and immune cell metabolism. 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. These statements include those related to the safety, tolerability and efficacy of CB-839 and the overall 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.

NOTE:

1Research supported by a Stand Up To Cancer Colorectal Cancer Dream Team Translational Research Grant (Grant Number: SU2C-AACR-DT22-17). Stand Up To Cancer is a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation. Research grants are administered by the American Association for Cancer Research, the scientific partner of SU2C.

SOURCE: Calithera Biosciences, Incorporated

CONTACT:

Jennifer McNealey[email protected]650-870-1071

Source: Calithera Biosciences, Inc.

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