Purple Biotech Forms Five-Member SAB to Accelerate CAPTN-3 Tri-Specific Antibody Platform
Purple Biotech has formed a five-member SAB with experts like Amir Horowitz and Afshin Dowlati to advance its masked CAPTN-3 tri-specific antibody platform toward clinical-stage development. The SAB’s translational science and tumor immunology expertise will optimize CAPTN-3’s conditional CD3 arm activation at tumor sites, expanding its therapeutic window.
1. Establishment of Scientific Advisory Board
Purple Biotech announced the creation of a five-member Scientific Advisory Board to guide the development of its CAPTN-3 tri-specific antibody platform. The board brings together specialists in NK and T-cell engager therapies to provide strategic input on advancing candidates toward clinical stages.
2. Member Expertise and Roles
The SAB includes Amir Horowitz (NK cell biology), Afshin Dowlati (early-phase T-cell engagers in solid tumors), Alexander Shoushtari (melanoma immunotherapies), and Max S. Topp (bispecific T-cell engager development). Their combined background spans translational immunology, clinical oncology and therapeutic checkpoint pathways.
3. CAPTN-3 Platform and Strategic Significance
CAPTN-3 utilizes masked tri-specific antibodies targeting tumor antigens while engaging T cells and NK cells, with a proprietary CD3-binding arm that activates only in the tumor microenvironment. This conditional activation aims to improve safety and expand the therapeutic window ahead of IND filing and first-in-human trials.