Therapeutic
Transgene shares “disappointing” TG4001 study update
Transgene announced in October 2024 that the primary objective of its randomised Phase II study of TG4001 has not been met. The study was evaluating
Gritstone’s data “encouraging”, but are they enough?
Interim Phase II data from Gritstone bio’s study evaluating GRANITE in September 2024 are described as “encouraging” in a company statement.
DNA vaccines show promise against multiple myeloma
In an article for npj vaccines in October 2024, researchers present their investigation into the efficacy of a combination of DNA vaccine encoding mouse GPRC5D
Anixa plans Phase II study for breast cancer vaccine
Anixa Biosciences announced a strategic plan for a Phase II study of its breast cancer vaccine in September 2024. The proposed trial follows a Phase I
Brenus Pharma raises funds for STC cancer research
In September 2024, Brenus Pharma announced the completion of a $25 million Series A financing round and receipt of non-dilutive funding to take the STC-1010
Evaxion’s topline data show EVX-01 has promise
In September 2024, Evaxion Biotech announced positive topline data from a Phase II trial of EVX-01. This is part of a one-year interim analysis of the trial assessing EVX-01 in combination with MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA, in patients with advanced melanoma....
Personalised therapy: XPO1 identified as “bona fide” antigen
A paper in Science Advances in August 2024 describes XPO1 (Exportin-1/CRM1) as a “bona fide tumour antigen” recognised by natural killer (NK) cells. With implications for vaccine development, the research identifies an opportunity for a personalised approach to NK...
Study explores COVID-19 vaccine as hyperglycaemia treatment
Research in Nature communications in August 2024 reports a non-human primate model of metabolic post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 to identify a dysregulated blood chemokine signature in acute COVID-19 that correlates with “elevated and persistent hyperglycaemia” four...
UCLH lung cancer patient receives novel vaccine in trial
University College London Hospitals (UCLH) announced in August 2024 that a patient with lung cancer at UCLH is the first to receive a novel cancer vaccine in a clinical trial in the UK. BioNTech’s investigational immunotherapy, BNT166, uses mRNA to present common...
Everest launches personalised mRNA cancer vaccine trial
In August 2024 Everest Medicines announced the launch of an Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trial (IIT) assessing the safety, tolerability, immunogenicity, and preliminary efficacy of a personalised mRNA cancer vaccine. EVM16 will be considered as a monotherapy and in...
CureVac advances CVGBM in glioblastoma trial
In August 2024 CureVac announced the start of the dose-confirmation Part B in its ongoing Phase I study of CVGBM in patients with resected glioblastoma. CVBGM is CureVac’s first investigational cancer vaccine based on the proprietary second-generation mRNA backbone....
Understanding how BCG destroys bladder cancer cells
In August 2024 a paper in Disease Models and Mechanisms presents research that uncovers the earliest cellular mechanisms involved in tumour clearance induced by the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. Initially developed for use against tuberculosis (TB), the BCG...
ULCA launches paediatric brain cancer vaccine trial
In August 2024 researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) announced the launch of a “first-of-its-kind" clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a cancer vaccine that targets H3 G34-mutant diffuse hemispheric glioma, a “highly...
Ultimovacs: UV1 combination does not meet endpoints
In August 2024 Ultimovacs announced topline data from the FOCUS Phase II trial combining UV1 and pembrolizumab in patients with metastatic or recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, revealing that the combination did not meet primary or secondary endpoints....
BioNTech announces positive results in melanoma trial
In July 2024 BioNTech announced positive topline data from its ongoing Phase II trial in patients with unresectable stage III or IV melanoma whose disease had progressed after anti-PD-(L)1-containing treatment. The trial evaluates the clinical activity and safety of...
Diakonos announces FDA Fast Track designation for DCV
Diakonos Oncology Corporation announced in July 2024 that the US FDA has granted Fast Track designation for its dendritic cell vaccine (DCV) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. This is the second Fast Track designation Diakonos has received for the DCVs; the first...
HOOKIPA Pharma announces start of therapeutic vaccine trial
In July 2024, HOOKIPA Pharma announced that the first person has been dosed in a Phase Ib clinical trial of HB-500, an investigational therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of HIV. The trial is to evaluate the safety and tolerability, reactogenicity, and...
WHO report on therapeutic HPV vaccine development
A report shared by WHO in July 2024 presents the importance of designing therapeutic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines for use in lower resource settings to ensure “maximum public health benefits”. WHO preferred product characteristics for therapeutic HPV vaccines...
Defence Therapeutics’ ARM-X anti-cancer vaccine effective
In June 2024, Defence Therapeutics announced that its second-generation ARM-X anti-cancer vaccine is “therapeutically effective” against pre-established ovarian cancer (ID8 model) in combination with an anti-PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor. Using the Accum platform,...
Vaxxinity announces “beacon of hope” for Parkinson’s disease
In June 2024 Vaxxinity announced the publication of “groundbreaking exploratory data” from a Phase I clinical trial of UB-312 in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). UB-312 is an active immunotherapy medicine (AIM) designed to “slow or stop” the progression of...
