Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: APVO) has filed a patent application covering a Nectin-4 x PD-L1 dual-targeting backbone intended to support multiple therapeutic approaches for solid tumors, the company announced based on a press release statement.

The filing is designed to protect a platform that Aptevo says could be adapted into several cancer treatment formats, including radiopharmaceuticals, T-cell engagers, and other immune-based therapies, using the company's existing ADAPTIR and ADAPTIR-FLEX platforms.

Nectin-4 is present on several solid tumors, while PD-L1 can be found on both tumor cells and immune-suppressing cells within the tumor environment. Aptevo states the dual-targeting approach is intended to direct treatment activity more selectively to tumors while also enhancing anti-tumor immune response.

"We designed it to recognize two important targets in solid tumors, Nectin-4 and PD-L1, and to give us a foundation we can build on in multiple ways," said Mary Janatpour, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Aptevo.

Jeff Lamothe, President and Chief Executive Officer, said the backbone represents "a reusable targeting architecture that can generate multiple assets, support multiple therapeutic approaches and create multiple paths to value."

Aptevo's pipeline also includes mipletamig, currently in clinical evaluation for frontline acute myeloid leukemia, and APVO451, a preclinical Nectin-4-targeted trispecific immunotherapy candidate for solid tumors.