CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, February 14 /PRNewswire/ -- BioVex Inc, a leading developer of advanced biologics for the treatment of cancer announced today that the first patients in its phase II clinical trials of OncoVEXGMCSF in malignant melanoma and in head and neck cancer had received their initial doses of the therapeutic treatment.
The melanoma trial is a 50 patient multi-center study. The first dosing took place at the Mary Crowley Medical Research Center, Dallas, Texas. The Principal Investigator is Dr John Nemuniatis. The primary endpoint of the study is tumor response rate with secondary endpoints including time to disease progression and median survival time.
The head and neck cancer trial is a 16 patient open label study in combination with chemoradiotherapy. It is being carried out at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London (UK). The first patient in this trial has recently completed the seven week dosing regime. The Principal Investigator is Dr Kevin Harrington of the Institute of Cancer Research. The end point of the trial is to assess the safety of OncoVEXGMCSF combined with chemoradiotherapy, and the potential of OncoVEX as neoadjuvant therapy in the treatment of head and neck cancer.
Preliminary results from both trials will be available in late 2006.
OncoVEXGMCSF - the first in a new class of oncolytic cancer therapeutics
OncoVEX GMCSF is an oncolytic virus that selectively kills tumor cells. In addition it induces tumor cells to secrete GMCSF, to enhance tumor destruction. OncoVEX GMCSF has completed a Phase I/II study in several solid tumors including breast cancer, head and neck cancer, gastro-intestinal cancer and melanoma. Results from the administration of OncoVEX GMCSF in either single or multiple doses have shown the product to be well tolerated. Substantial biological effects, including tumor necrosis, were also observed. BioVex is planning additional clinical studies in pancreatic, colorectal and lung cancers that are expected to begin during 2006.
“The opening of these Phase II clinical trials of OncoVEXGMCSF in malignant melanoma, which is a cancer with one of the fastest growing incident rates world wide, and in first line therapy for head and neck cancer, demonstrate BioVex’s commitment to bringing novel biological treatments for cancer forward into the clinic,” said Dr. Gareth Beynon, CEO of BioVex. “The initiation of the phase II trials marks our continuing growth and development since relocating to the US in 2005
Dr Nemuniatis commented, “Melanoma is a problem of increasing seriousness and BioVex’s unique strategy using a dual approach of a potent oncolytic agent, coupled with the local release of a powerful cytokine may offer an important advance in our understanding of treatment options.”
Dr Harrington commented, “I am very pleased to be participating in this study using the potentially powerful added effect that OncoVEXGMCSF may bring to the treatment of head and neck cancer.”
About Melanoma
Worldwide, the incidence of melanoma continues to rise. Figures from the American Cancer Society predict around 60,000 new cases in the US during 2005, along with around 8,000 deaths.
About head and neck cancer
Head and neck cancer is the generic term used for a group of malignant tumors that affect areas such as the face, mouth, jaws, sinuses, throat, larynx, salivary glands, thyroid gland and neck. Treatment is often complex and requires the cooperation of a number of medical, paramedical and nursing specialists. Although head and neck cancer is relatively uncommon in the UK (around 8000 new cases per year), it is the sixth most common cancer worldwide( British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists). In the USA there are currently some 214,000 affected patients with approximately 40,000 new cases per annum. The US five year survival rate for invasive oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer has remained unchanged at 53% since 1976.
About BioVex Inc
BioVex Inc is a privately held biotechnology company focused on the development of advanced biologics for the treatment of cancer. Its proprietary product platform, “OncoVEX” is based on the manipulation of the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The Company is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and has research facilities in Oxford, UK. More information can be found at the Company’s website, www.biovex.com
OncoVEXGMCSF - the first in a new class of oncolytic cancer therapies
OncoVEX GMCSF is an oncolytic virus that selectively kills tumor cells. In addition it induces tumor cells to secrete GMCSF, to enhance tumor destruction. OncoVEX GMCSF has completed a Phase I/II study in several solid tumors including breast cancer, head and neck cancer, gastro-intestinal cancer and melanoma. Results from the administration of OncoVEX GMCSF in either single or multiple doses have shown the product to be well tolerated. Substantial biological effects, including tumor necrosis, have been observed. The Company has now commenced Phase II studies in malignant melanoma and in head and neck cancer and plans further clinical studies in pancreatic,lung and colorectal cancers during 2006.
Contacts: Mr Philip Astley-Sparke, President & CFO +1-617-444-8445 pastleysparke@biovex.com Gareth Beynon, Chief Executive Officer +44-(0)1235-441900 gbeynon@biovex.com Dr Colin Love, SVP Product Development +44-(0)1235-441900 clove@biovex.com
BioVex Ltd
CONTACT: Mr Philip Astley-Sparke, President & CFO, Tel: +1-617-444-8445,pastleysparke@biovex.com, Gareth Beynon, Chief Executive Officer, Tel:+44-(0)1235-441900, gbeynon@biovex.com, Dr Colin Love, SVP ProductDevelopment, Tel: +44-(0)1235-441900, clove@biovex.com
