In January 2024 PDC*line Pharma announced that the Walloon region and BioWin have selected the PDC*neo+ project for funding after a call for proposals in the field of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products. Of the total €12.5 million budget, PDC*line Pharma is set to receive €4.7 million to develop the personalised therapeutic vaccine for colorectal cancer. PDC*neo+ targets unique neoantigens in each patient, described as a “groundbreaking approach” in cancer immunotherapy.
Tackling CRC with collaboration
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is “among the most prevalent and deadly cancers”, with a high recurrence rate after surgery and chemotherapy. PDC*neo+ is designed to prevent relapses in high-risk patients with stages II, III, and certain stage IV CRCs as an adjuvant treatment. The project will aim to confirm clinical feasibility and safety of the vaccine in a Phase I trial. It is expected to have a “significant impact” on CRC care.
Eric Halioua, CEO of PDC*line Pharma, is “very happy” with the company’s selection for this funding.
“The subsidies and collaborative effort of the partners in the consortium will speed-up the launch of a first Phase I clinical trial with PDC*neo+, the personalised vaccine based on PDC*line cells loaded with neoantigens to treat CRC patients, positioning our technology in the very promising field of neoantigen-based cancer vaccines.”
The project is a “collaborative effort” that involves “several key partners”:
- OncoDNA contributes personalised medicine and liquid biopsies expertise, focusing on neoantigen identification and circulating tumour DNA analysis
- SalamanderU is developing a compact isolator for decentralised vaccine production to bring manufacturing closer to the clinical centres.
- Academic centres are offering essential support in translational research and clinical trial execution.
Jean-Pol Detiffe, founder and chief strategy and innovation officer at OncoDNA is “thrilled” to be part of the “innovative project and clinical trial”.
“It acknowledges our recent proficiency in the discovery of neoantigens and our robust experience in liquid biopsy monitoring by detection of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA).”
Claude Dedry is CEO of salamanderU and echoed the enthusiasm for the project, which will bring production of the vaccine “closer to the patient”.
“Through this project, salamanderU strengthens its position as a designer and manufacturer of innovative isolators for the manufacture of ATMP.”
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