Company Reviews Mechanism of Action, Preclinical Outcomes and Phase 1 Safety Results of VX15 (pepinemab) as Single Agent and In Combination Therapy Against Multiple Cancers
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Nov. 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vaccinex, Inc. (Nasdaq: VCNX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company engaged in the discovery and development of targeted biotherapeutics to treat serious diseases and conditions with unmet medical needs, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune disorders, today announces details of a presentation and poster on November 9th and 10th at the Annual Conference of the Society of Immunotherapy for Cancer in Washington, D.C., held from November 7-11.
Both the presentation, which was given by Gregory B. Lesinsky, M.D., Ph.D. from the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, and the multi-author poster outlined the action of VX15 (pepinemab) anti-semaphorin 4D antibody as reducing immune suppression of myeloid-derived cells thereby restoring the ability of dendritic cells and cytotoxic T cells to migrate into the tumor. In addition, it is believed that VX15 (pepinemab) enhances the activity of co-administered immunotherapies, as was shown in preclinical colon, head and neck and melanoma mouse models. For example, the anti-semaphorin 4D compound on which VX15 (pepinemab) is based, when combined with anti-CTLA resulted in a 90 percent complete tumor rejection (p<0.0001) in a heavily myeloid suppressed murine head and neck model.
The company also reported, as was previously announced, that VX15 (pepinemab) was well tolerated in a Phase 1 trial in patients with advanced refractory solid tumors. VX15 (pepinemab) is currently in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in combination with avelumab for non-small cell lung cancer, a Phase 1 study in combination with nivolumab or ipilimumab in advanced melanoma patients, and a Phase 1/2 study as monotherapy in children with solid tumors and children and young adults with osteosarcoma. Additional “window of opportunity” trials are planned or underway which incorporate an evaluation of immune cell infiltration into the tumor before and after VX15 (pepinemab) treatment, including neoadjuvant integrated biomarker trials to evaluate combination therapy with nivolumab or ipilimumab in head and neck, pancreatic, and metastatic colorectal cancers.
“We remain encouraged regarding the potential of VX15 (pepinemab) and its role in activating the body’s natural immune system to fight cancer and we appreciate the continued interest among professionals to learn about our programs,” commented Maurice Zauderer, CEO of Vaccinex, Inc. “To date we have seen positive safety and tolerability data and we look forward to providing updates on our progress on these trials as they become available.”
About Vaccinex, Inc.
Vaccinex, Inc. is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company engaged in the discovery and development of targeted biotherapeutics to treat serious diseases and conditions with unmet medical needs, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune disorders, with currently active clinical trials in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Huntington’s disease. Vaccinex is based in Rochester, New York.
Forward-Looking Statements
To the extent that statements contained in this press release are not descriptions of historical facts regarding Vaccinex, Inc. (“Vaccinex,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), they are forward-looking statements reflecting management’s current beliefs and expectations. Words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “potential,” “advance,” and similar expressions or their negatives (as well as other words and expressions referencing future events, conditions, or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our research and pre-clinical development programs, clinical development programs, future results, performance, or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, uncertainties inherent in the execution, cost and completion of preclinical and clinical trials, uncertainties related to regulatory approval, risks related to our dependence on our lead product candidate pepinemab (VX15), and other matters that could affect our development plans or the commercial potential of our product candidates. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause future results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement, see the section titled “Risk Factors” in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the other risks and uncertainties described in our prospectus for our initial public offering dated August 9, 2018, filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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