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Akeso Announces Completion of First Dosing in Phase III Clinical Trial of Ivonescimab (PD-1/VEGF) Combination Therapy for Immunotherapy-Resistant NSCLC
Prnewswire· 2025-07-31 01:46
Core Insights - Akeso, Inc. has initiated a pivotal Phase III clinical study for ivonescimab, a PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, in combination with docetaxel for treating locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has progressed after PD-1/L1 inhibitors and platinum-based chemotherapy [1][4] - Ivonescimab is currently the only bispecific immunotherapy antibody in Phase III trials for IO-resistant lung cancer, highlighting its unique position in the market [2] - The study aims to address the significant unmet need in treating IO-resistant NSCLC, as current options are limited and docetaxel's efficacy as a monotherapy is restricted [4][6] Industry Context - Immunotherapy has made substantial advancements in NSCLC treatment, with PD-1/L1 inhibitors becoming standard first-line therapies; however, 60%-70% of patients still experience disease progression within the first year [3] - There are no approved standard treatment options for IO-resistant NSCLC, making the development of ivonescimab particularly relevant [4] - Mechanistic studies indicate that combining PD-1 and anti-VEGF therapies may yield synergistic effects, enhancing anti-tumor immune responses and potentially improving treatment outcomes for IO-resistant tumors [5][6] Company Overview - Akeso is a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative biological medicines, with a robust pipeline of over 50 assets across various disease areas, including cancer [11] - The company employs a unique integrated R&D innovation system and has developed a comprehensive drug development platform, positioning itself competitively in the global biopharmaceutical market [11] - Akeso's commitment to creating first-in-class and best-in-class drugs aims to provide affordable therapeutic options for patients worldwide, contributing to its goal of becoming a global leader in the biopharmaceutical industry [11]
X @The Economist
The Economist· 2025-07-30 17:05
The phenomenon could be harnessed to boost immunotherapy https://t.co/zjLZOymL4W ...
Oncolytics Biotech® to Engage FDA for Potential Registration-Enabled Study in First-Line Pancreatic Cancer with Goal to Launch Trial Activities by Year-End
Prnewswire· 2025-07-29 12:30
Core Insights - Oncolytics Biotech Inc. is initiating regulatory discussions with the FDA for a pivotal study in first-line metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC), aiming to start study activities by the end of 2025 [1][4] - The company believes in the differentiated mechanism of action of pelareorep and its potential to improve survival rates in mPDAC, a highly lethal cancer [2][3] - Oncolytics is considering an adaptive study design that may involve collaboration with a third party, focusing on overall survival as the primary endpoint [2][4] Company Overview - Oncolytics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing pelareorep, an immunotherapeutic agent that has shown promising results in metastatic breast cancer and early-phase studies in pancreatic and colorectal cancer [5][6] - Pelareorep works by converting "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors, activating both innate and adaptive immune responses [5] - The company has received Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations for pelareorep in mPDAC, positioning it well for strategic partnerships in gastrointestinal oncology [4][6] Strategic Goals - The CEO of Oncolytics emphasizes the importance of execution and focus in moving down a clear regulatory path, with the goal of enhancing shareholder value and attracting pharmaceutical partnerships [3][4] - The upcoming regulatory discussions and trial initiation are seen as major catalysts for collaboration and long-term value creation [4] - Oncolytics aims to leverage its clinical promise in mPDAC and other gastrointestinal cancers to engage potential partners looking to enhance their oncology pipelines [3][4]
Immutep to Present Pivotal TACTI-004 Trial in Progress Poster at the 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer
Globenewswire· 2025-07-29 12:00
Core Insights - Immutep Limited is set to present the pivotal TACTI-004 Phase III trial at the IASLC 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer, highlighting its focus on advanced non-small cell lung cancer treatment [1][2] Company Overview - Immutep is a late-stage biotechnology company specializing in immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases, particularly focusing on Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 (LAG-3) [7] - The company aims to leverage its expertise to develop innovative treatment options and maximize shareholder value [7] Trial Details - The TACTI-004 Phase III trial evaluates the efficacy of Immutep's antigen presenting cell (APC) activator, eftilagimod alfa (efti), in combination with Merck's KEYTRUDA® and chemotherapy for first-line treatment of advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer [2][4] - The trial will enroll approximately 750 patients across over 150 clinical sites in more than 25 countries, regardless of PD-L1 expression [2] Eftilagimod Alfa (efti) Profile - Efti is a first-in-class APC activator that stimulates both innate and adaptive immunity, enhancing the immune response against cancer [5] - It has a favorable safety profile and is being evaluated for various solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and metastatic breast cancer [6] - Efti has received Fast Track designation from the FDA for first-line treatment in both head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer [6] Engagement with Medical Community - Immutep has received positive feedback from the lung cancer community regarding efti's safety and efficacy, indicating strong potential to change treatment paradigms for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer [3]
GeoVax Labs Revenue Doubles in Q2
The Motley Fool· 2025-07-29 10:34
Core Viewpoint - GeoVax Labs reported strong second quarter 2025 results with significant revenue growth but raised concerns about increased operating costs and cash reserves [1][5][10] Financial Performance - GAAP revenue reached $0.85 million, exceeding analyst estimates of $0.39 million, marking a year-over-year increase of 183.6% from $0.30 million in Q2 2024 [2][5] - GAAP earnings per share were a loss of $(0.35), slightly worse than the expected $(0.34) but a significant improvement from $(1.99) in Q2 2024, reflecting an 82.4% year-over-year improvement [2][6] - Net loss for the quarter was $(5.37) million, a slight increase from $(5.06) million in Q2 2024, while research and development expenses rose by 10.5% to $4.73 million [2][6] Business Overview - GeoVax specializes in developing vaccines and immunotherapies for infectious diseases and cancer, focusing on unmet medical needs [3] - The clinical pipeline includes three main product families: GEO-CM04S1 (COVID-19 vaccine), GEO-MVA (mpox and smallpox vaccine), and Gedeptin (gene-directed immunotherapy for cancers) [3] Strategic Focus - The company aims to accelerate clinical trial progress, expand its intellectual property portfolio, and improve manufacturing scalability [4] - Key success factors include advancing clinical trials, securing regulatory approvals, and forming strategic partnerships [4] Pipeline Progress - Revenue growth was driven by government contract revenues from the BARDA/RRPV Project NextGen award, which has since been terminated [5][10] - The GEO-MVA vaccine received positive regulatory feedback from the EMA, with plans to initiate a pivotal Phase 3 trial in late 2026, representing a market opportunity over $10 billion [7] - The GEO-CM04S1 vaccine is targeting immunocompromised patients, showing enhanced immune responses in clinical trials [8] Manufacturing and Intellectual Property - GeoVax is developing scalable vaccine manufacturing methods to address supply bottlenecks and has secured new U.S. patents for a malaria vaccine and expanded Gedeptin use [9] Future Outlook - The company ended the quarter with $3.09 million in cash, down from $5.51 million, and raised $5.6 million through a public offering to extend its cash runway [10] - Management did not provide formal guidance but emphasized advancing vaccine and oncology programs and building U.S.-based manufacturing capacity [11]
AIM ImmunoTech Reports Positive Mid-year Safety and Efficacy Data from Phase 2 Study Evaluating Ampligen® (rintatolimod) in Combination with AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi® (durvalumab) for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer
Globenewswire· 2025-07-28 13:00
Core Insights - AIM ImmunoTech Inc. reported positive mid-year data from the Phase 2 DURIPANC study, indicating promising signs of no significant toxicity and superior progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in metastatic pancreatic cancer patients treated with Ampligen® and durvalumab [1][3][5] Company Overview - AIM ImmunoTech is focused on developing therapeutics for various cancers, immune disorders, and viral diseases, with Ampligen® being its lead investigational drug [9] Study Details - The DURIPANC study is a collaboration with AstraZeneca and Erasmus Medical Center, aiming to evaluate the combination therapy of Ampligen and durvalumab in patients with stable disease post-FOLFIRINOX [1][4] - The study is expected to enroll up to 25 subjects, with 14 subjects enrolled as of the mid-year report [1] Preliminary Findings - The combination therapy has shown a well-tolerated safety profile, with approximately 21% of patients experiencing PFS greater than 6 months and 64% of eligible patients having OS greater than 6 months [5] - The study aims to assess clinical benefit rates, OS, PFS, and initiate immune-monitoring using tissue biopsies and immune profiling [1][2] Future Directions - Further analysis of immune-monitoring data is anticipated to provide insights into the biological activity and durability of response, as well as identify predictive biomarkers for patient selection [2][3] - The company has developed an intellectual property plan, including a U.S. patent for Ampligen as an oncology treatment, extending protection to August 9, 2039 [8]
Immutep Announces Abstracts Accepted for Presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2025
Globenewswire· 2025-07-28 12:00
Core Insights - Immutep Limited, a late-stage immunotherapy company, announced that three abstracts for clinical trials of its MHC Class II agonist, eftilagimod alfa, have been accepted for presentation at the ESMO Congress 2025 in Berlin, Germany [1][2]. Group 1: Clinical Trials and Presentations - A Proffered Paper oral presentation will detail results from the EFTISARC-NEO Phase II trial in resectable soft tissue sarcoma, scheduled for October 19, 2025 [2]. - Data from the INSIGHT-003 Phase I trial in first-line non-small cell lung cancer (1L NSCLC) will be presented as a poster on October 18, 2025 [2]. - An abstract on the pivotal TACTI-004 Phase III trial in 1L NSCLC has been accepted for a Trials in Progress ePoster presentation [2]. Group 2: Company Overview - Immutep is focused on developing novel immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases, particularly leveraging the LAG-3 pathway to stimulate or suppress immune responses [4]. - The company aims to provide innovative treatment options and maximize shareholder value through its diversified product portfolio [4].
X @The Economist
The Economist· 2025-07-27 17:40
Allergy Treatment Advancements - Immunotherapy (drops, shots, tablets) is highly effective for common allergens like pollen and dust mites [1] - Progress in food allergy treatment is accelerating [1]
BriaCell Announces Two Clinical Data Poster Presentations at ESMO 2025
Globenewswire· 2025-07-25 11:30
Core Insights - BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel immunotherapies aimed at transforming cancer care [1][4] - The company will present two clinical data posters at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2025 Annual Meeting scheduled for October 17-21 in Berlin, Germany [1] Presentation Details - The first poster presentation is titled "Phase III Pivotal Trial of Bria-IMT + CPI vs Physician's Choice in Advanced Metastatic Breast Cancer (BRIA-ABC)" [3] - The second poster presentation is titled "Feasibility and Biomarker Validation of an International Randomized Phase 3 Trial of Bria-IMT Cell Therapy in Late Stage MBC (BRIA-ABC)" [3] - Abstracts for these presentations will be published online on the ESMO website on October 13, 2025 [3] Company Information - BriaCell is dedicated to developing innovative immunotherapies for cancer treatment [4] - More information about the company can be found on their official website [4]
Key Opinion Leader Event Highlights Pelareorep's Compelling Pancreatic and Gastrointestinal Data And Future Potential
Prnewswire· 2025-07-23 13:39
Core Insights - Oncolytics Biotech Inc. hosted a key opinion leader (KOL) webinar discussing the clinical data of pelareorep and its role in treating pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers [1][2] - The CEO emphasized pelareorep as a compelling immunotherapy platform suitable for combination strategies, aiming for registrational development in collaboration with pharmaceutical partners [2] Company Overview - Oncolytics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing pelareorep, an intravenously delivered immunotherapeutic agent that has shown promising results in metastatic breast cancer and pancreatic cancer [3][4] - Pelareorep works by inducing anti-cancer immune responses and converting "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors, enhancing treatment efficacy [3] Clinical Development - Pelareorep has demonstrated synergies with multiple approved oncology treatments, and Oncolytics is advancing combination clinical trials in solid malignancies, particularly in metastatic breast cancer and pancreatic cancer, both of which have received Fast Track designation from the FDA [4] - The treatment has shown meaningful survival benefits in first-line metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) patients, highlighting an unmet need for effective immunotherapies in this area [6] Mechanism of Action - Translational data from clinical trials indicate that pelareorep replicates in tumors, stimulates chemokine expression, and promotes the expansion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), correlating with tumor size reduction [6]