A phase 3 randomized study of magrolimab, an anti-CD47 monoclonal antibody, in combination with azacitidine in treatment-naïve patients with higher risk MDS

In July 2019, LLS expanded its partnership with Forty Seven by making an equity investment to support "ENHANCE: A Randomized, Double-blind, Multicenter Study Comparing Magrolimab in Combination With Azacitidine Versus Azacitidine Plus Placebo in Treatment-naïve Patients With Higher Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome." LLS funded Stanford University researchers and founders of Forty Seven, Irv Weissman, MD, and Ravi Majeti, MD, PhD, to study seminal work in macrophages. This is a type of immune cell that patrols the body and chews up damaged cells. If a macrophage latches onto a normal cell, a protein known as CD47 sends a “don’t eat me” signal. But lymphoma and leukemia cells are clever and use CD47 to trick the macrophages into ignoring them and letting them grow as cancer. In preclinical mice models, Drs. Weissman and Majeti used an antibody to block the “don’t eat me” signal and stimulate the immune system to recognize the cancer cells as invaders. 

Gilead Sciences acquired Forty Seven in April 2020 and continues to develop magrolimab in multiple clinical studies in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, acute myeloid leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and solid tumors.