Targeted immunotherapies

Search documents
Calidi Biotherapeutics Announces Shareholder Letter from CEO
Globenewswire· 2025-06-27 12:00
Core Viewpoint - Calidi Biotherapeutics is undergoing significant transformation in leadership, focus, and financial management, aiming to advance its innovative oncology therapies, particularly the RedTail platform, which shows promise in delivering genetic medicines to metastatic cancer sites [1][3][7]. Company Developments - The appointment of Eric Poma as CEO in April 2025 marks a new leadership direction, with a focus on advancing therapeutic approaches in oncology [2]. - Dr. Guy Travis Clifton has been appointed as Chief Medical Officer, enhancing the company's expertise in clinical program advancement and regulatory strategy [2]. R&D Pipeline Progress - The RedTail platform is highlighted as a key focus, utilizing an engineered enveloped virus for systemic delivery of genetic medicines to metastatic cancer sites, representing over a decade of research [3][9]. - Recent preclinical data indicates that RedTail demonstrates potent tumor-selective targeting and improved anti-tumor immune modulation, differentiating it in the oncology market [4]. Strategic Partnerships - The company is actively seeking partnerships with leading biopharmaceutical firms to accelerate the development and commercialization of therapies, which could enhance market reach and shareholder value [4]. Future Milestones - The roadmap for the next 18 months includes completing IND-enabling studies for the lead candidate CLD-401, with an IND filing anticipated by the end of 2026 [5]. - An IND for the SuperNova virotherapy (CLD-201) was opened in April 2025, with Phase I trials expected to start by the end of 2025 [6]. Financial Management - As of Q1 2025, the company reported approximately $10.6 million in cash, with efforts to reduce costs and lower the burn rate while retiring most of its debt [7].
Calidi Biotherapeutics Presents systemic oncolytic platform with CD55-Enhanced expression and IL-15 Superagonist Payload at ASCO Annual Meeting
Globenewswire· 2025-06-02 12:00
Core Insights - Calidi Biotherapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing systemic oncolytic targeted immunotherapies, with its lead candidate CLD-401 presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting [1][2] Group 1: Technology and Innovation - Calidi has developed an enveloped form of its proprietary oncolytic virus that shows greater resistance to immune clearance, enhancing systemic delivery and efficacy in pre-clinical models [2] - The novel genetic modification in CLD-401 incorporates a chimeric CD55 receptor into the virus envelope, which inhibits complement-mediated clearance, improving the virus's stability in circulation [2][4] - The RedTail platform allows for the delivery of genetic payloads directly into the tumor microenvironment, with CLD-401 expressing an IL-15 superagonist to activate and expand natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells [3][4] Group 2: Strategic Development - Calidi is conducting IND-enabling studies for CLD-401 and plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application in the second half of 2026 [4] - The company is actively seeking strategic partnerships to accelerate clinical development and enhance the impact of its RedTail platform [4][6] - The lead candidate targets non-small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and other tumor types with high unmet medical needs [7]
PDS Biotechnology (PDSB) FY Conference Transcript
2025-05-21 22:20
Summary of PDS Biotechnology (PDSB) FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: PDS Biotechnology (PDSB) - **Focus**: Developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer, specifically their lead product, Versamune HPV, which is in a Phase III clinical trial for recurrent or metastatic HPV16 positive head and neck cancers [1][5][29] Industry Context - **Market Opportunity**: The market for HPV16 positive head and neck cancers is estimated to be between $4 billion to $5 billion in the United States and Europe [7] - **Epidemic Status**: Head and neck cancer is described as a "silent epidemic," with projections indicating a 30% annual increase in incidence by 2030 [5][6] Core Product Insights - **Versamune HPV**: - Targeting HPV16 positive cancers, which are expected to dominate head and neck cancer cases by the 2030s [6] - Fast track designation granted by the FDA based on Phase II trial data [7] Clinical Trial Data - **Phase II VERSATILE 002 Trial**: - Median overall survival of 30 months compared to 12-13 months for standard therapies [14][15] - 100% elimination of circulating tumor HPV16 DNA in patients treated with Versamune HPV plus standard care, versus 50% reduction in those receiving only standard care [11] - 92% two-year recurrence-free survival for patients with no detectable circulating tumor DNA [11] - **Phase III VERSATILE 003 Trial**: - Designed to have median overall survival as the primary endpoint, with a two-to-one randomization [17][18] - Anticipated interim data readouts to facilitate early discussions with the FDA [18] Competitive Advantages - **Immunotherapy vs. Traditional Treatments**: - Current treatments like chemotherapy and EGFR inhibitors have limited effectiveness in long-term survival [9] - Versamune HPV aims to train the immune system to target specific cancer markers, potentially improving outcomes [10][12][13] Future Developments - **Upcoming ASCO Presentation**: Three abstracts accepted, including updates on VERSATILE 002 and details on the VERSATILE 003 trial [20][21] - **Market Potential**: Beyond head and neck cancers, Versamune HPV may also target other HPV16 positive cancers, potentially leading to a market opportunity exceeding $10 billion [29] Additional Notes - **Collaboration with National Cancer Institute**: Ongoing work on the MAC1 program, focusing on MUC1 sequences for various cancers [25][27] - **Regulatory Updates**: IND approval for new trials is pending, with timelines still to be determined [28] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the conference call, highlighting the company's strategic focus, clinical advancements, and market potential.
Calidi Biotherapeutics Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Recent Operational Highlights
Globenewswire· 2025-05-14 20:30
Core Insights - Calidi Biotherapeutics Inc. reported its first quarter 2025 operating and financial results, highlighting advancements in its systemic oncolytic targeted immunotherapy platform, Redtail [1][3] Company Developments - The management team has been strengthened with the appointment of Eric Poma, PhD, as CEO and Guy Travis Clifton, MD, as Chief Medical Officer, both bringing extensive biopharmaceutical experience [4][5] - The company selected IL15-superagonist as the first payload for its lead candidate using the Redtail platform, with an Investigational New Drug (IND) filing expected in the second half of 2026 [4] - The FDA cleared the IND application for CLD-201, an allogeneic stem cell-based immunotherapy targeting solid tumors, including breast cancer, head & neck cancer, and soft tissue sarcoma [4][6] Financial Performance - For Q1 2025, Calidi reported a net loss of $5.0 million, or $0.18 per share, an improvement from a net loss of $7.2 million, or $2.03 per share, in Q1 2024 [7][15] - Research and development expenses decreased to $2.4 million in Q1 2025 from $2.7 million in the same period in 2024 [7] - General and administrative expenses also declined to $2.6 million in Q1 2025 from $4.0 million in Q1 2024 [8] Cash Position - As of March 31, 2025, the company had approximately $10.6 million in cash, an increase from $9.6 million as of December 31, 2024 [8][13]