Harbour BioMed Reports Full Year 2023 Financial Results

On March 28, 2024 Harbour BioMed ("HBM" or the "Company"; HKEX: 02142), a global biopharmaceutical company committed to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel antibody therapeutics focusing on immune-oncology and immunology, reported annual financial results of full year 2023 (Press release, Harbour BioMed, MAR 28, 2024, View Source [SID1234641589]).

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"We made progress in two significant undertakings in 2023, the third financial year since listing on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong: preparing Harbour Therapeutics to operate as a faster, more focused clinical-stage next-generation therapeutics company and initiating Nona Biosciences to leverage our unique global patent-protected technology platforms to empower global therapeutic innovation. We recorded a significant increase in our revenue, demonstrating the Company’s excellent global business development capabilities," said Dr. Jingsong Wang, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Harbour BioMed. "We are navigating a fiercely competitive world that is going through rapid changes, facing human being’s fundamental quest for longevity and quality of life, and having a greater demand for biotechnological breakthroughs and innovative therapeutics. We’ve been well-positioned in the new era to achieve results that will propel the Company to new heights and create robust business value."

FULL YEAR 2023 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Harbour BioMed recorded the profit of US$22.8 million for the year ended 31 December 2023. This is the first time that the Company has recorded a net profit on its annual financial statements. Other financial highlights include:

Revenue: The revenue for the full year 2023 is US$89.5 million, which increased significantly by US$48.8 million, or 119.9%, compared with US$40.7 million for the year ended 31 December 2022. Our revenue primarily consists of molecule license fee, research service fee and technology license fee. The increase is primarily attributed to license out and collaboration agreement with Pfizer, Cullinan Oncology and Kelun-Biotech.
Research and development costs: The research and development expenses decreased by 66.6%, from US$135.1 million in 2022 to US$45.1 million in 2023. This decrease was primarily attributable to the combined impact of (i) optimized investments in our clinical programs and our molecule assets in discovery and pre-clinical stages; and (ii) the efficient implementation of cost control measures.
Administrative expenses: The administrative expenses decreased by 28.6%, from US$27.3 million in 2022 to US$19.5 million in 2023.
ROBUST PORTFOLIO AND DIFFERENTIATED PIPELINE

Harbour Therapeutics, a sub-brand parallel to Nona Biosciences, is individually responsible for the development of the Company’s product pipeline. Focused on oncology and immunology, Harbour Therapeutics has a robust and diversified pipeline of more than ten potentially differentiated drug candidates, four of which are in clinical development stage. Batoclimab (HBM9161), porustobart (HBM4003), HBM7008 and HBM1020 are the main products.

Batoclimab, as the clinically most advanced FcRn inhibitor being developed in Greater China, has the potential to be a breakthrough treatment for a wide spectrum of autoimmune diseases in Greater China. Harbour Therapeutics completed the treatment of patients in early 2023 and announced the positive topline results of the phase III clinical trial of batoclimab for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in March, which is also the first positive pivotal trial outcome for batoclimab worldwide. This marks a major milestone as it is the Company’s first product to complete phase III clinical trial and be poised for commercialization to benefit the gMG patients. The Company also initiated open-label extension clinical trial in 2022 and completed enrolment in March 2023. As the cut-off of open-label extension clinical trial for gMG in November 2023, the data showed sustainable efficacy and safety of batoclimab in long-term disease management.
Porustobart (HBM4003) is the next-generation, fully human heavy chain only anti-CTLA-4 antibody generated from the HCAb platform. It is also the first fully human heavy chain only antibody which has entered into clinical development around the world. In 2023, Harbour Therapeutics conducted the global clinical development program of porustobart for multiple types of solid tumors, and positive data of efficacy and safety profile have been read out in the ongoing trials of neuroendocrine neoplasms and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Another example demonstrating Harbour Therapeutics’ strong research capabilities is the discovery of HBM7008, a novel product targeting B7H4 and 4-1BB. Developed from the immune cell engager platform HBICE, HBM7008 is the only bispecific antibody against these two targets globally. Leveraging and integrating the expertise in biology and antibody engineering and the unique characteristics of HBICE platform, HBM7008 showed exciting performance both in efficacy and safety profile at pre-clinical stage. In 2022, the Company conducted the phase I trials in the U.S. and Australia. In February 2023, to maintain a leading position in the development of this first-in-class asset, the Company entered into a co-development collaboration with Cullinan Oncology, to expand its study process in the U.S., Europe and Australia.
HBM1020 is a first-in-class fully human monoclonal antibody generated from Harbour Mice platform targeting B7H7. As a newly discovered member of the B7 family, B7H7 expression is found non-overlapping with PD-L1 expression in multiple tumor types, which potentially plays a more important role for tumor cells to escape immune surveillance. HBM1020 is the first product against B7H7 in clinical stage globally. With its excellent product design and target features, HBM1020 presents great potential to address huge unmet medical needs on solid tumors.
Driven by the Company’s leading drug innovation and discovery engine, new assets are continually being developed, of which HBM1020, HBM1022, HBM1007 and HBM9033 obtained the IND clearance from the U.S. FDA to initiate clinical study in the U.S. in 2023, and HBM9027 obtained the IND clearance from U.S. FDA in the first quarter of 2024.
In addition, we have a number of pre-clinical stage products in the pipeline, including HBM7004, HBM1047 and HBM9014, which have shown great potential for development.
PLATFORM-VALUE-MAXIMIZED BUSINESS COLLABORATIONS

In 2023, the Company continued to expand its business collaborations with leading academic institutions and select industrial partners focusing on innovation and efficiency across the world. The business collaboration model is not only limited to out-licensing, but also to engage with academic institutions or other leading innovative pioneers in the industry for co-development and incubation of joint ventures on next-generation innovative therapy. With flexible business models built around proprietary technologies and platforms, the Company can and will maximize its platform value to address global unmet medical needs.

Assets Collaboration of Harbour Therapeutics

Harbour Therapeutics has entered into several external collaborations in terms of pipeline licensing and collaborations. In 2023, Harbour Therapeutics has granted the regional out-licensing of HBM7008 in the U.S. to Cullinan Oncology, and HBM7022/AZD5863, which was licensed to AstraZeneca in 2022, has entered into clinical stage. Meanwhile, the three assets which have been licensed the Greater China Rights to Hualan Genetic obtained IND approvals from NMPA to initiate clinical study in China. In addition, HBM9378, which was developed in collaboration with Kelun-Biotech, completed its phase I clinical trial.

With these multiple collaborations based on the assets generated from HBICE, Harbour Therapeutics has shown its strength and unique advantages in building a comprehensive portfolio in immune cell engagers. And the co-development and collaboration of the pipeline is not only the recognition of the industry partners for the Company’s products and technology platforms, but will also help the Company to improve the efficiency of portfolio advancement, spread the costs and risks, and make the development of the Company more robust.

Multiple Collaborations of Nona Biosciences

In addition to collaboration through the molecules and pipeline generated from the platforms, the Company is also focusing the vision on more original and innovative collaborations on early stages. By integrating the industry leading Harbour Mice and HCAb PlusTM platforms with an experienced therapeutic antibody discovery team, Nona Biosciences provides a one-stop solution for therapeutic antibody discovery, engineering and development from I to ITM (Idea to IND) with flexible business models.

From the end of 2022, Nona Biosciences achieved big success in its launch as it has landed several international collaborations in multiple innovative formats. It is worth mentioning that Nona Biosciences has granted the global out-licensing of HBM9033, a potential best-in-class MSLN-targeted ADC, to Pfizer. Until now, Harbour Mice platforms have been validated by over 50 industry and academic partners.

Nona Biosciences has established four leading technology units based on HCAb, including protein engineering, conjugation technology, delivery technology and cell therapy to empower the next-generation therapies. With the multiple collaborations based on the assets generated from HCAb PlusTM, Nona Biosciences has demonstrated its robust capabilities in antibody discovery and development, exploring a new path to expand the collaboration network and maximize the value of the platforms.

Incubation on Cutting-Edge Collaborations

To give full play to the value of the unique platform technologies, the Company has continued to explore the expandability of platform technology application scenarios which generate impactful values and bring us new value growth points with minimal marginal investment. Representative projects include HBM Alpha Therapeutics, in partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital, and Shanghai NK Cell Technology Limited.

2024 OUTLOOK: EXTENSIVE GLOBALIZATION AND BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATION

Looking to the future, Harbour BioMed will keep driving business growth and accomplishing its mission through two key pillars, Harbour Therapeutics and Nona Biosciences. The former will advance multiple clinical trials of the internal pipeline to fully advance the global clinical development project, and the latter will keep providing integrated discovery solutions for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and ultimately create an innovation ecosystem to promote biological advancement.

A range of products based on the technology platform and generated from the concept of T-cell engager and NK cell engager, will be pushed forward to clinical stage in the following years. With a combination of in-house development and business collaborations, the Company will continuously form a portfolio of products with a differentiated competitive advantage in immuno-oncology.

The platform-valued-maximized business collaborations, driven by Nona Biosciences, will further walk the Company down the path of global development. Positive outcomes have been attained through platform-based collaborations with top institutions around the world and more extensive global collaborations are expected in 2024 as our preclinical products become increasingly mature.

Bridge Biotherapeutics Launches a Research Collaboration with Emory University School of Medicine to Explore Combination Therapy of BBT-877 for KRAS/P53 Mutant NSCLC Patients Resistant to Anti-PD-1 Blockade

On March 28, 2024 Bridge Biotherapeutics (KQ288330), a South Korean clinical-stage biotech company developing novel drugs for cancer, fibrosis, and inflammation, reported a research collaboration with Dr. Jessica M. Konen’s Lab at Emory University School of Medicine (Press release, Bridge Biotherapeutics, MAR 28, 2024, View Source [SID1234641588]).

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The collaboration will explore the potential therapeutic benefits of combination therapy of BBT-877, a novel autotaxin (ATX) inhibitor, with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients harboring KRAS and P53 (KP) mutations who are resistant to anti-PD-1 blockade.

As a member of the cancer immunology research program at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Dr. Konen’s research has shown that autotaxin has a direct impact on the body’s immune response to tumors. Specifically, higher levels of ATX expression are associated with a decrease in the number of tumor-infiltrating CD8 T cells and an increase in inflammatory gene signatures, including those related to the cytolytic activity of CD8 T cells. Furthermore, an activated tumor-immune microenvironment upregulates ATX and thus provides opportunities for acquired resistance to anti-PD-1 treatment.[i]

From their in vitro studies, the company and the laboratory found that BBT-877 induces CD4 and CD8 T cell proliferation and activation markers, with a robust increase in CD8 T cells that express Granzyme B. The ongoing research collaboration is dedicated to investigating the potential benefits of combining BBT-877 with anti-PD-1 therapy as a treatment approach.

"We are excited to collaborate with Dr. Konen’s team at Emory University School of Medicine to explore the potential of BBT-877 in overcoming resistance to anti-PD-1 therapy in NSCLC patients with KRAS and P53 mutations as a combination therapy with immuno-oncology agents," said James Lee, CEO of Bridge Biotherapeutics. "We believe that Dr. Konen’s research on the role of autotaxin in immunosuppression has the potential to significantly improve treatment outcomes for those patients who are resistant to anti-PD-1 therapy."

"This collaboration presents a promising opportunity to translate our scientific understanding of autotaxin’s role in immunotherapy resistance into a novel therapeutic approach for KRAS/P53 mutant NSCLC patients," said Dr. Jessica Konen, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology Instructor at Emory University School of Medicine. "We are pleased to work with Bridge Biotherapeutics to explore indication expansion into NSCLC through a combination of BBT-877 with anti-PD-1 agent and potentially offer new hope to those patients."

Under the terms of the collaboration, Bridge Biotherapeutics will provide financial support and access to BBT-877, while Dr. Jessica Konen’s Lab will contribute its expertise in immunology and oncology. Together, the two entities will conduct preclinical studies to evaluate the therapeutic potential of BBT-877 in enhancing anti-tumor immunity.

Jacobio Pharma Announces 2023 Annual Results

On March 28, 2024 Jacobio Pharma (1167.HK), a clinical-stage oncology company drugging the undruggable targets, reported its 2023 annual results (Press release, Jacobio Pharmaceuticals, MAR 28, 2024, View Source [SID1234641587]). The revenue was RMB63.5 million, the R&D investment was RMB372 million, the cash and cash equivalent at the end of 2023 was RMB 1.2 billion. Jacobio Pharma also announced its recent business progress and expected milestones.

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Dr. Wang Yinxiang, Chairman and CEO of Jacobio Pharma, said: "In the past year, Jacobio continued to make progress in our projects. We received approval for registrational phase III clinical trial of the combination therapy between our SHP2 inhibitor JAB-3312 and KRAS G12C inhibitor glecirasib. Our JAB-3312 became the first SHP2 inhibitor to enter into registrational trial. This milestone is consistent with our mission of ‘drugging the undruggable’. Meanwhile, the patient enrollment for pivotal trial of our core product glecirasib has been completed, and the NDA application expected to be submitted in the first half of 2024. This marks that Jacobio will enter into the commercial stage."

Development of core clinical stage products

KRAS G12C inhibitor Glecirasib (JAB-21822)

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

The patient enrollment for pivotal trial of glecirasib monotherapy in ≥2L NSCLC patients harboring KRAS G12C mutation was completed. The NDA application is expected to be submitted to CDE (Center for drug evaluation, NMPA) in Q2 2024 as planned.
1L NSCLC is in combination with SHP2 inhibitor JAB-3312. The phase III registrational trial was approved by CDE.
Pancreatic cancer (PDAC)

The pivotal trial of glecirasib monotherapy in ≥2L PDAC patients was activated in China.
The results were presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GI Annual Meeting. The cORR was 41.9% (13/31) and the DCR was 93.5% (29/31). The median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 5.6 months.
Colorectal cancer (CRC)

The clinical results of glecirasib monotherapy and glecirasib combined with cetuximab in advanced colorectal cancer were presented at the Second JCA- AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Precision Medicine International Conference.
Phase III pivotal trial design of glecirasib monotherapy or glecirasib in combination with cetuximab is expected to be approved by CDE in Q2 2024.
Multi-tumors basket

Multi-tumors basket includes biliary tract cancer, gastric cancer, small bowel cancer, appendices cancer, etc.
The results were presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GI Annual Meeting. The cORR was 57.9%(11/19), DCR was 84.2%(16/19), mPFS was 7.0 months.
A phase II single arm pivotal trial is under communication with CDE.
SHP2 inhibitor JAB-3312

The Phase III pivotal trial of JAB-3312 in combination with glecirasib to treat 1L NSCLC patients has been approved by CDE, and this study in China is expected to initiated in Q3 2024. JAB-3312 is the very first SHP2 inhibitor entering a phase III registrational trial worldwide.
The clinical data of glecirasib in combination with JAB-3312 was published at the 2023 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress (ESMO 2023). Glecirasib (800mg once daily) + JAB-3312 2mg (once daily for 1 week on, then 1 week off) dosage yielded ORR of 86.7% (13/15) and DCR of 100% (15/15).
Long term safety and efficacy data have submitted to the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.
Development of other clinical products

P53 Y220C activator JAB-30355: The IND has been approved by U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and phase I clinical trial is expected to be initiated in the second half of 2024. Preclinical data will be presented at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2024.
BET inhibitor JAB-8263: A Phase II trial of JAB-8263 monotherapy or combination therapies is planned to be initiated in the second half of 2024. Clinical data will be published at the 2024 European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) Congress.
Aurora A inhibitor JAB-2485: RP2D is anticipated to be determined in Q2 2024. The preclinical study of JAB-2485 was presented at the 2023 AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper).
Anti-CD73 humanized monoclonal antibody JAB-BX102: RP2D is anticipated to be determined in Q2 2024. The preclinical study of JAB-2485 was presented at the 2023 AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper).
PARP7 inhibitor JAB-26766: Preclinical data will be presented at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2024.
We are optimizing the clinical development strategy for PARP7 inhibitor JAB-26766, GUE (glutamine-utilizing enzyme) inhibitor JAB-24114, and LIF mAb JAB-BX300 considering the current treatment landscape and our resources available.
Development of other pre-clinical products

KRASmulti inhibitor JAB-23E73: The IND application is expected to be submitted in Q2 2024.
Clinical candidate for HER2-STING iADC JAB-BX400 is expected to be nominated in the second half of 2024.
As of December 31, 2023, Jacobio owned 340 patents or patent applications that are filed globally, of which 82 patents have been issued or allowed in major markets globally. During the performance period, Jacobio raised HKD159 million through public placing, and obtained RMB150 million from Beijing E-town Capital. As of December 31, 2023, Jacobio has RMB 1.2 billion cash and cash equivalent, providing sufficient cash reserves for R&D investment in the next 30-36 months. Jacobio repurchased and canceled 1.807 million shares, continuing to increase shareholder value.

Conference Call Information

Jacobio Pharma will hold a live conference call at 10:30 AM March 29 2024 Beijing time. Participants please register in advance through View Source

Mustang Bio Announces Vision for CAR T-Cell Therapy Platform Expansion into Autoimmune Diseases

On March 28, 2024 Mustang Bio, Inc. ("Mustang") (Nasdaq: MBIO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on translating today’s medical breakthroughs in cell and gene therapies into potential cures for difficult-to-treat cancers and rare genetic diseases, reported its expansion into autoimmune diseases with MB-106, a personalized CD20-targeted, 3rd-generation autologous CAR T-cell therapy (Press release, Mustang Bio, MAR 28, 2024, View Source [SID1234641586]). MB-106 is being developed in a collaboration between Mustang and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center ("Fred Hutch"). Mustang and Fred Hutch are in preliminary discussions to explore a potential Phase 1 investigator-sponsored clinical trial to evaluate MB-106 for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

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"Mustang is leveraging its expertise in developing cell therapies to explore a new frontier in patient care," said Manuel Litchman, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Mustang. "MB-106’s observed safety profile, encouraging efficacy data, and our robust manufacturing capabilities have the potential to translate to improved outcomes for patients with autoimmune diseases. We believe an investigator-sponsored clinical trial is the fastest and most cost-effective way to embark on this program and aim to enroll the first patient in a Phase 1 trial in the fourth quarter of this year to demonstrate clinical proof-of-concept. We are in discussions with Fred Hutch to determine the autoimmune indication(s) we plan to pursue in the first trial and look forward to sharing more details in the near future."

This expansion is supported by promising scientific evidence. Several antibody therapies targeting CD20 on B-cells have successfully transitioned from cancer to autoimmune diseases, such as rituximab for both lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, clinical studies with CAR-T therapies have already demonstrated early success in the treatment of autoimmune conditions, with published reports showing remission in patients with refractory systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases.

MB-106 is currently in a Mustang-sponsored multicenter Phase 1/2 clinical trial for relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas ("NHL") and chronic lymphocytic leukemia ("CLL"). Mustang expects to enroll the first patient in a registrational study evaluating MB-106 for Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia ("WM"), a rare type of B-Cell NHL, in the second half of this year.

Dr. Litchman continued, "Data from the MB-106 Phase 1/2 multicenter trial presented at the recent 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting demonstrate strong clinical activity and a favorable safety profile, establishing feasibility of outpatient administration and building a foundation for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, where tolerance for the more severe toxicities observed with approved CAR-Ts is lower. Mustang believes MB-106 has the potential to bring personalized CAR T-cell therapy to a broader patient population through the expansion of indications and accessibility."

Scientists at Fred Hutch played a role in developing these discoveries, and Fred Hutch and certain of its scientists may benefit financially from this work in the future.

Candel Therapeutics Announces Oral Presentation During the 5th Glioblastoma Drug Development Summit with Update on Phase 1b Clinical Trial of CAN-3110 in Recurrent High-Grade Glioma

On March 28, 2024 Candel Therapeutics, Inc. (Candel or the Company) (Nasdaq: CADL), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing viral immunotherapies to help patients fight cancer, reported the presentation of updated data from an ongoing phase 1b clinical trial of its herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) replication-competent viral immunotherapy candidate, CAN-3110, in patients with rHGG that has recurred after standard of care (SoC) treatment (Press release, Candel Therapeutics, MAR 28, 2024, View Source [SID1234641585]). The data were presented today during the 5th Glioblastoma Drug Development Summit in Boston, Massachusetts.

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"We have recently reported encouraging clinical and biomarker activity data observed after a single dose of CAN-3110 in patients with rHGG. We observed a nearly doubling of the expected median overall survival in this therapy-resistant patient population," said Francesca Barone, MD, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Candel. "The data presented today further supports that repeated doses of CAN-3110 are feasible and generally well-tolerated in rHGG, potentially further improving the clinical activity of this investigational medicine. Safety and tolerability of both repeated injections and serial biopsies, performed prior to the administration of CAN-3110, will be monitored to gauge disease progression and tissue response to treatment. We look forward to sharing additional biomarker and clinical activity data in the second half of this year."

To date, over 50 patients have been treated with a single dose of CAN-3110 in the phase 1b clinical trial of CAN-3110 in recurrent high-grade glioma (rHGG). The investigators observed a nearly doubling of the expected median overall survival (mOS) after a single CAN-3110 injection, achieving a mOS of ~12 months, compared to historical reports of less than 6 to 9 months in this therapy-resistant condition. Positive HSV-1 serology was a predictor of response and was associated with improved survival (mOS in this population reached 14 months). Results from the ongoing phase 1b clinical trial were published in Nature in Q4 2023. CAN-3110 received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Fast Track Designation for treatment of rHGG in Q1 2024, based on these data.

"Dosing patients with multiple injections represents the next step forward in the development of CAN-3110 for rHGG," said Paul Peter Tak, MD, PhD, FMedSci, President and CEO of Candel. "The observed data suggest that repeated injections of CAN-3110 are well tolerated, supporting the design of a future phase 2 clinical trial in this indication. We’re excited by our recent progress — as illustrated by the publication in Nature, CAN-3110’s recent FDA Fast Track designation, and the collaboration with Batavia Biosciences — to accelerate the development and production of CAN-3110, along with our update presented today. Together, we hope this will help to accelerate the development of a better treatment for patients with high unmet need."

About the phase 1 clinical trial of CAN-3110 in rHGG

The clinical trial comprises three arms. In arm A, 41 patients with recurrent HGG received a single intratumoral injection of CAN-3110 (dose ranging from 1×106 plaque forming units (pfu) to 1×1010 pfu), including nine patients with multifocal/multicentric, deep or bilateral tumors associated with poor survival. After observing this regimen was generally well tolerated without dose-limiting toxicity, patients in arm B (n=9) received a single dose of cyclophosphamide (24 mg/kg) two days before CAN-3110 injection at doses of 1 x 108 pfu (n=3) and 1 x 109 pfu (n=6). The rationale is based on findings in mouse models, where cyclophosphamide improved viral persistence in injected tumors. In arm C, two cohorts of 12 patients with rHGG will receive up to six injections of CAN-3110 over a four-month period.

About CAN-3110

CAN-3110 is a first-in-class, replication-competent herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) oncolytic viral immunotherapy candidate designed with dual activity for oncolysis and immune activation in a single therapeutic. Its activity is designed to be conditional to the expression of Nestin in cancer cells. CAN-3110 is being evaluated in a phase 1 investigator-sponsored clinical trial in patients with rHGG. In October 2023, the Company announced that Nature published results from this ongoing clinical trial. CAN-3110 was well tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicity reported and CAN-3110 plus prodrug was associated with improved survival. Positive HSV-1 serology was a predictor of response and was associated with improved survival. Increased infiltrating immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and expansion of the T cell repertoire after treatment were also associated with improved survival. In the clinical trial, the investigators observed a nearly doubling of the expected median overall survival after a single CAN-3110 injection, compared to historical reports of less than 6 to 9 months in this therapy-resistant condition. By comparison, survival in the anti-HSV1 positive patients who received CAN-3110 was more than 14 months.

Candel expects to initiate Investigational New Drug-enabling work in a second indication characterized by Nestin expression.