SCIB1 continues to generate highly encouraging survival data; Modi-1 vaccine on track for 2016 entry into clinic
Scancell Holdings plc, (‘Scancell’ or the ‘Company’) the developer of novel immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, announces its interim results for the six months ended 31 October 2014.
Highlights:
• Data from the on-going Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with Stage III/IV melanoma treated with the SCIB1 ImmunoBody? shows highly encouraging survival times in both Part 1 and Part 2 patient groups
• Pre-clinical data demonstrates that a combination of SCIB1 and checkpoint inhibition (PD-1 blockade) produced enhanced tumour destruction and longer survival times than when either treatment was used alone, supporting use of the combination for later stage disease
• Adjuvant melanoma* represents a significant new market opportunity for SCIB1
• SCIB2 vaccine ready for further pre-clinical development as a potential immunotherapy for any tumour expressing the NY-ESO-1 antigen
• Patent granted in the US for Scancell’s DNA ImmunoBody® platform technology, following the grant of counterparts in Australia, China and Japan
• Modi-1, lead vaccine from Moditope® platform, is on schedule for clinical trials in 2016
• Two new Moditope® protein targets identified
• Loss for the six month period of £1,339,915 (2013: loss: £1,187,574)
• Group cash balance at 31 October 2014 was £4,302,052 (30 April 2014: £5,566,234)
Richard Goodfellow, Joint CEO of Scancell, said: “We are delighted that our lead ImmunoBody®, SCIB1, continues to show the potential to extend the lives of melanoma patients without serious side effects. This encouraging data makes us increasingly optimistic about the clinical value of SCIB1 as monotherapy, especially in the adjuvant setting, a huge and relatively untapped market. Furthermore, the increased survival times when SCIB1 was combined with PD-1 blockade in pre-clinical studies gives us confidence that SCIB1 also has significant potential in combination with checkpoint inhibitors for late stage disease.
“Our Moditope® platform is progressing well with Modi-1 expected to start clinical trials in 2016. Two additional Moditope® protein targets have also now been identified. The market opportunity for our two innovative technology platforms, ImmunoBody® and Moditope®, is significant and we remain committed to evaluating all available options for the realisation of shareholder value.”
-ENDS-
*Patients without measurable disease following surgery but where there remains a high risk of relapse
For Further Information:
Dr Richard Goodfellow, Joint CEO
Scancell Holdings Plc
Professor Lindy Durrant, Joint CEO
Scancell Holdings Plc
+ 44 (0) 20 3727 1000
Robert Naylor/Maisie Atkinson
Panmure Gordon
+ 44 (0) 20 7886 2500
Mo Noonan/Simon Conway
FTI Consulting
+ 44 (0) 20 3727 1000
About Scancell
Scancell is developing novel immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer based on its ImmunoBody® and Moditope® technology platforms.
Scancell’s first ImmunoBody®, SCIB1 is being developed for the treatment of melanoma and is being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial. Data from the trial demonstrate that SCIB1, when used as monotherapy, has a marked effect on tumour load, produces a melanoma-specific immune response and highly encouraging survival trend without serious side effects.
Scancell’s ImmunoBody® vaccines target dendritic cells and stimulate both parts of the cellular immune system: the helper cell system where inflammation is stimulated at the tumour site and the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte or CTL response where immune system cells are primed to recognise and kill specific cells.
Pre-clinical data on a combination of SCIB1 and checkpoint inhibition (blockade of the PD-1 immune checkpoint pathway) has shown enhanced tumour destruction and significantly longer survival times than when either treatment was used alone.
Scancell has also identified and patented a series of modified epitopes that stimulate the production of killer CD4+ T cells that destroy tumours without toxicity. The Directors believe that the Moditope® platform could play a major role in the development of safe and effective cancer immunotherapies in the future.
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