Vaccinex Reports Improved Immunity Correlating with Clinical Benefit of Pepinemab Combination Treatment at Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer's Annual Meeting

Core Insights - Vaccinex, Inc. announced new biomarker data indicating that neoadjuvant treatment with pepinemab enhances the clinical activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors in poorly immunogenic, HPV-negative head and neck cancer [1][2] - The data will be presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer's Annual Meeting on November 8, 2024, highlighting findings from the Phase 2 KEYNOTE-B84 study and an independent study on resectable HNSCC [1][2] Group 1: Pepinemab and Its Mechanism - Pepinemab is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody designed to block SEMA4D, which is involved in inhibiting immune responses by affecting dendritic cells and astrocytes [3][4] - The treatment with pepinemab has shown to induce the formation of mature lymphoid aggregates in tumors, correlating with improved immune interactions and durable responses [2][4] Group 2: Clinical Trials and Studies - Over 600 patients have been enrolled in various clinical trials for pepinemab, which appears to have a favorable safety profile [3] - Pepinemab is being evaluated in combination with KEYTRUDA® in the Phase 1b/2 KEYNOTE-B84 study for recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer and in combination with BAVENCIO® for metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma [4][5] Group 3: Company Overview - Vaccinex, Inc. focuses on innovative treatments for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases through the inhibition of SEMA4D [4] - The company holds global commercial and development rights to pepinemab and collaborates with Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. for the KEYNOTE-B84 study [5]