Join our daily newsletter At The Bell to receive exclusive market insights
- Biotech company Imugene (IMU) has received Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) approval to begin a phase one clinical trial of PD1-Vaxx in Australia
- This trial will be completed under Australia’s Clinical Trials Notification (CTN) Scheme and patient screening is scheduled to begin in August
- The aim of this trial is to determine the safety, efficacy, tolerability, and optimal dose of the product
- PD1-Vaxx is used to treat tumours such as lung cancer by obstructing programmed death-ligand one (PD-1/PD-L1) and producing an anti-cancer effect
- PD-1/PD-L1 is a type of protein that plays a role in suppressing the adaptive arm of the immune system
- Imugene is up a slight 2.94 per cent on the market and shares are currently trading for 3.5 cents each
Biotech company Imugene (IMU) has received Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) approval to begin a phase one clinical trial of PD1-Vaxx in Australia.
This trial will be completed under Australia’s Clinical Trials Notification (CTN) Scheme and patient screening is scheduled to begin in August.
The first hospital that has received ethics approval is the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney with more to open up across the country.
Following a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational New Drug (IND), sites will begin to open up in the U.S.
This trial will involve patients with non-small cell lung cancer and clinicians will test different dosages of PD1-Vaxx in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitor drugs such as Keytruda and Opdivo.
The aim of this trial is to determine the safety, efficacy, tolerability, and optimal dose.
“The start of our Australian study is a significant milestone for Imugene and clinicians treating Australians faces with the challenge of lunch cancer,” CEO and Managing Director Leslie Chong said.
“Accomplishing this goal speaks to the perseverance and dedication of Imugene’s clinical and research team as we continue to build on our clinical and commercial potential,” she added.
What is PD1-Vaxx?
PD1-Vaxx is a B-cell cancer immunotherapy that is used to treat tumours such as lung cancer by obstructing programmed death-ligand one (PD-1/PD-L1) and producing an anti-cancer effect similar to Keytruda.
PD-1/PD-L1 is a type of protein that plays a role in suppressing the adaptive arm (immunity that often occurs after an exposure to an antigen, such as measles) of the immune system in events such as pregnancy, hepatitis, and autoimmune disease.
“The concept of teaching and inducing the body to generate its own antibodies targeting PD1 expressing cells represents a paradigm shift in oncology, and is a novel treatment method for cancer,” Leslie added.
Imugene is up a slight 2.94 per cent on the market and shares are trading for 3.5 cents each at 11:41 am AEST.
