OS Therapies Reports Full Year 2024 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

On March 31, 2025 OS Therapies Inc. (NYSE-A: OSTX) ("OS Therapies" or "the Company"), a clinical-stage cancer immunotherapy and antibody drug conjugate biotechnology company, reported full-year 2024 financial results ended December 31, 2024 and provided a business update (Press release, OS Therapies, MAR 31, 2025, View Source [SID1234651700]).

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"2024 was a transformative year for OS Therapies as we completed our initial public offering and finalized the treatment phase of our Phase 2b clinical trial in the prevention of recurrence in fully resected, lung metastatic osteosarcoma," said Paul Romness, MPH, Chairman & CEO of OS Therapies. "In parallel, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire all of the listeria monocytogenes (Lm)-based assets from Ayala Pharmaceuticals, supported the development of additional data for OST-HER2 in canines and positioned the Company’s tunable antibody drug conjugate (tADC) program for partnering. The Company remains primarily focused on gaining a Biologics Licensing Authorization (BLA) for OST-HER2 in osteosarcoma that would trigger the issuance of a Priority Review Voucher (PRV) that the Company expect to then divest in order to capitalize with non-dilutive capital to allow the Company to fully exploit the OST-HER2 immunotherapeutic candidate and the rest of the Lm platform."

"While historically, from 2021 to 2024, there were significant operating losses associated with the initiation, prosecution, and completion of the OST-HER2 clinical trial in recurrent, fully resected, metastatic osteosarcoma that used significant cash resources, going forward we expect a significantly reduced outlays beginning in the second quarter of 2025 now that one-time study costs were recognized in the first quarter of 2025," said Chris Acevedo, Chief Financial Officer of OS Therapies. "We have reduced our burn rate substantially such that we expect cash on hand to last the Company into 2026, through our projected BLA milestone and the related issuance of a PRV by the FDA that we intend to sell."

OS Therapies’ lead product candidate, OST-HER2, is a cancer immunotherapy biologic drug candidate comprised of HER2 bioengineered form of the Lm that mimics a listeria infection of HER2 overexpressing cancer cells and triggers a strong, immune response against cancer cells expressing HER2. This off-the-shelf immunotherapy is designed to prevent metastasis, delay recurrence, kill primary tumors expressing HER2 and increase overall survival.

Full-Year 2024 Corporate Highlights:

Completed treatment phase for Phase 2b clinical trial of OST-HER2 in recurrent, fully resected, lung metastatic osteosarcoma, a rare pediatric indication
Announced Phase 1 adult safety data of OST-HER2, primarily in breast cancer patients
Formed Scientific, Commercial and Patient Advocacy advisory boards
Completed $6 million initial public offering (IPO) & simultaneously converted all then-outstanding debt to equity
Completed $6 million private placement, providing sufficient capital into 2026 as a result of significantly reduced projected 2025 spend
Developed 2 new tunable ADC therapeutic candidates
Accepted into Johnson & Johnson – JLABS
2025 Progress to Date and Future Milestones

Progress to Date:

Positive Phase 2b data for OST-HER2 clinical trial in recurrent, fully resected, lung metastatic osteosarcoma
Agreement to acquire all LM-based Immuno-Oncology programs and IP assets from Ayala Pharmaceuticals, adding Phase 2 lung cancer and Phase 1 prostate cancer programs to pipeline, subject to closing conditions
Initiated commercial-ready manufacturing of OST-HER2 in preparation for BLA submission
Formed subsidiary OS Drug Conjugates and initiated review of strategic options for tunable Drug Conjugates (tDC) and tADC platform
Scheduled meeting with United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) Scientific Advice Meeting in the third quarter of 2025 for review of OST-HER2 immunotherapy candidate for osteosarcoma
Remaining Expected 2025 Milestones:

Presentation of full clinical data from OST-HER2 Phase 2b osteosarcoma clinical trial, including new synthetic control and biomarker data
End of Phase 2 Meeting with FDA for OST-HER2 osteosarcoma program, subsequent BLA submission and potential approval
Summer 2025 Scientific Advice Meeting (SAM) with MHRA for OST-HER2 osteosarcoma program, ILAP application submission and MHRA Conditional Marketing Authorisation application & decision
EMA National Competent Authority Scientific Advice Meeting Request (Medicines Evaluation Board, Netherlands) for OST-HER2 osteosarcoma program, EMA PRIME, EMA-FDA Parallel Scientific Advice application and EMA Conditional Marketing Authorisation application & decision
USDA meeting for OST-HER2 canine osteosarcoma program, conditional approval and initiation of pivotal clinical studies in preventive and therapeutic applications of OST-HER2 in osteosarcoma
Loss from Operations:

The Company recorded a net operating loss of $10.886 million in the year ended 2024 compared with a net operating loss of $7.916 million in 2023. The increase in net loss was largely due to the expenses associated with our IPO. Net loss per share in the full year 2024 was $0.88 on 12.377 million weighted average shares outstanding compared to full year 2023 where the Company delivered a loss of $1.46 per share on 5.429 million weighted average shares outstanding.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

IDEAYA Biosciences Receives US FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Darovasertib Monotherapy in Neoadjuvant Uveal Melanoma

On March 31, 2025 IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDYA), a precision medicine oncology company committed to the discovery and development of targeted therapeutics, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation (BTD) for darovasertib, a potential first-in-class protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, for the neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with primary uveal melanoma (UM) for whom enucleation has been recommended (Press release, Ideaya Biosciences, MAR 31, 2025, View Source [SID1234651699]).

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"We are pleased to receive FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation as we prepare to advance neoadjuvant darovasertib into a potential Phase 3 registrational trial in patients with primary UM. This designation highlights the potential of monotherapy darovasertib in a patient population with significant unmet medical need where there are currently no FDA-approved systemic therapies," said Dr. Darrin Beaupre, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of IDEAYA Biosciences. "We are targeting to present the updated Phase 2 clinical data in neoadjuvant UM that was provided as part of the BTD application at multiple medical conferences in 2025," said Yujiro S. Hata, President and Chief Executive Officer, IDEAYA Biosciences.

This U.S. FDA BTD designation, follows the Fast Track designation granted by the U.S. FDA for evaluation of darovasertib in combination with crizotinib in adult patients being treated for metastatic uveal melanoma (MUM), where a Phase 2/3 registration-enabling trial of the darovasertib and crizotinib combination in 1L HLA-A2-negative MUM is ongoing. Darovasertib has also been designated as an Orphan Drug by the U.S. FDA in UM, including in MUM, entitling IDEAYA to certain potential tax credits, exemptions from user fees, and statutory marketing exclusivity.

The BTD application was supported by updated interim clinical data from an ongoing Phase 2 open-label trial (NCT05907954) evaluating darovasertib monotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting for localized UM. IDEAYA presented interim clinical data demonstrating an 82% ocular tumor shrinkage rate and a 61% eye preservation rate in UM patients in September 2024 (press release), and neoadjuvant UM data was also presented as an oral presentation at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2024. Updated clinical data in neoadjuvant UM, including efficacy, safety, radiation reduction, eye preservation, and vision preservation / improvement on treatment, were submitted as part of the BTD application that we plan to present at medical conferences in 2025. Multiple clinical data updates in neoadjuvant UM and MUM, including median overall survival (mOS) from the Phase 2 study (IDE196-001), are targeted to be presented at medical conferences in mid-year 2025 and the second half of 2025. A median progression free survival (mPFS) readout for the Phase 2/3 registration-enabling trial of the darovasertib and crizotinib combination in 1L HLA-A2-negative MUM is targeted by year-end 2025. The Company also intends to initiate a Phase 3 randomized registrational trial in neoadjuvant UM in the first half of 2025.

A potential Phase 3 registrational study would evaluate neoadjuvant darovasertib in primary UM patients who are eligible for enucleation (Cohort 1) or plaque brachytherapy (Cohort 2). Neoadjuvant UM has a projected annual incidence for North America, Europe, and Australia of approximately 12,000 patients, and is a high unmet medical with no FDA approved systemic therapies.

BTD is designed to expedite the development and regulatory review of promising therapies for serious or life-threatening conditions where preliminary clinical evidence suggests substantial improvement over existing treatments. The designation facilitates more intensive FDA guidance, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and eligibility for rolling submission and priority review.

Hoth Therapeutics Receives USPTO Filing Receipt for HT-001 Formulation Patent Application, Expanding Existing Patent Coverage

On March 31, 2025 Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOTH), a patient-focused clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, reported that it has received an official Filing Receipt from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a new patent application related to the proprietary formulation of HT-001, the Company’s lead clinical asset (Press release, Hoth Therapeutics, MAR 31, 2025, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hoth-therapeutics-receives-uspto-filing-receipt-for-ht-001-formulation-patent-application-expanding-existing-patent-coverage-302416196.html [SID1234651698]).

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This newly filed application seeks to expand the Company’s intellectual property portfolio surrounding HT-001 and builds upon Hoth’s already approved patent for the compound. The formulation-specific filing is aimed at further protecting the unique composition and delivery method of HT-001, which is being developed as a novel topical treatment to alleviate dermatologic side effects commonly experienced by cancer patients undergoing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor therapy.

"The receipt of this Filing Receipt from the USPTO marks another critical milestone in the development of HT-001," said Robb Knie, Chief Executive Officer of Hoth Therapeutics. "Expanding our patent protection to include formulation-specific claims reinforces the strength of our IP position and our long-term commitment to patients and shareholders."

The USPTO Filing Receipt confirms that the patent application has been formally accepted and will proceed through the examination process. This development adds an important layer of protection as Hoth continues advancing HT-001 through clinical development.

Harbour BioMed Reports Full Year 2024 Financial Results

On March 31, 2024 Harbour BioMed ("HBM" or the "Company"; HKEX: 02142), a global biopharmaceutical company committed to the discovery and development of novel antibody therapeutics in immunology and oncology, reported its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024 (Press release, Harbour BioMed, MAR 31, 2025, View Source [SID1234651697]).

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Dr. Jingsong Wang, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Harbour BioMed, commented: "The year 2024 was a pivotal period for Harbour BioMed, marked by significant progress in research and development, strategic business expansion, and operational excellence. Despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, the Company demonstrated remarkable resilience, navigating inflationary pressures, global supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical uncertainties while remaining focused on its long-term growth objectives.

Throughout the year, Harbour BioMed advanced its strategic transition toward becoming a sustainably profitable global biotech engine. The Company expanded its research and development pipeline with a strong focus on immunology, autoimmune diseases, and inflammation therapeutics. Several key clinical-stage programs progressed significantly, reinforcing our vision of delivering life-changing medicines to patients worldwide.

The Company also made substantial investments in its technology platforms to ensure its core antibody discovery capabilities remain at the forefront of biopharmaceutical innovation. The strategic growth of Nona Biosciences, a subsidiary of Harbour BioMed, further solidified our position as a leading partner in the global biotech ecosystem. Additionally, we strengthened our business collaborations, securing multiple licensing and co-development agreements with top-tier pharmaceutical companies to drive sustainable revenue growth.

As we look ahead to 2025, we remain committed to expanding our global presence and delivering breakthrough therapies to patients."

Full Year 2024 Financial Highlights

Harbour BioMed reported total revenue of US$38.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, with an overall profit of approximately US$2.7 million. The company has been profitable for two consecutive years, demonstrating the uniqueness and resilience of its business model.

Compared to 2023, the company’s revenue sustainability has continued to improve. Annual recurring revenue increased from US$5.7 million to US$16.9 million, reflecting a growth rate of 196.5%. Cash profit[1] reached a record high of US$30.68 million. Meanwhile, Harbour BioMed has maintained a strong financial position. As of December 31, 2024, the company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled approximately US$166.8 million, providing a solid financial foundation for future growth.

Advancing a Robust and Differentiated Pipeline

Harbour Therapeutics, a sub-brand parallel to Nona Biosciences, is now individually responsible for the development of the Company’s products pipeline. With a growing focus on immunology, inflammation and oncology, Harbour Therapeutics manages a highly differentiated portfolio that includes multiple innovative drug candidates in both clinical and Investigational New Drug (IND)/IND-enabling stages.

In inflammation and immunology, the Company has built a robust preclinical pipeline encompassing bispecific and multi-specific antibodies generated using the HCAb-based Bispecific Immune Cell Antagonist (HBICATM) technology, as well as ultra long-acting biotherapeutics for immune-related diseases.

In oncology, the Company is leveraging its HBICE platform to develop bispecific and multi-specific antibodies with novel designs and differentiated mechanisms, such as HBM9027 (PD-L1xCD40) and HBM7004 (B7H4xCD3). In addition, the Company is utilizing its Harbour Mice and XDC platforms to explore multiple therapeutic modalities, including HBM9033, a mesothelin-targeted ADC, and other ADC/RDC programs in early-stage development.

Main products in the clinical stage include:

Batoclimab (HBM9161) is the first anti-FcRn monoclonal antibody completed Phase I to pivotal trials in China. As a novel, fully human anti-FcRn monoclonal antibody, batoclimab has the potential to be a breakthrough treatment option for a wide range of autoimmune diseases. In December 2023, the Company voluntarily planned to include additional long-term safety data and re-submitted the Biologic License Application (BLA) for batoclimab to the National Medical Products Administration of China (NMPA) in June 2024. In July 2024, NMPA accepted the BLA for batoclimab for the treatment of gMG. The Phase III pivotal clinical trial results of batoclimab were published in JAMA Neurology in March 2024, demonstrating sustained efficacy and safety with long-term use of batoclimab in the treatment of gMG.

HBM9378 is a fully human monoclonal antibody against thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) generated from the H2L2 Harbour Mice platform. It is a co-development project conducted by the Company and Kelun-Biotech, with both parties equally sharing the rights. HBM9378 has fully human sequences with a lower immunogenicity risk and better bioavailability compared to other TSLP-targeting competitors. Its long half-life optimization and outstanding biophysical properties support favourable dosing and formulation advantages.

The Company received IND approval of HBM9378 for moderate-to-severe asthma from the NMPA in February 2022 and completed a Phase I clinical trial in healthy subjects in China. In November 2024, the Company submitted an IND application for HBM9378 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to the NMPA, which was approved in February 2025.
In January 2025, the Company and Kelun-Biotech entered into an exclusive license agreement with Windward Bio, under which Windward Bio was granted an exclusive license for the research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of HBM9378 globally (excluding Greater China and several Southeast and West Asian countries). Currently, Windward Bio is preparing a global Phase II clinical trial for HBM9378.
Porustobart (HBM4003) is a next-generation, fully human heavy-chain-only anti-CTLA-4 antibody discovered and developed using the HCAb Harbour Mice platform. It is also the first fully human heavy-chain-only antibody which entered clinical development globally. Compared with conventional CTLA-4 antibodies, porustobart has unique, favourable properties, including significant Treg cell depletion and optimized pharmacokinetics for improved safety. Additionally, by enhancing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), porustobart increases the potential to selectively deplete intratumoral Treg cells, helping to overcome the efficacy and toxicity bottleneck of current CTLA-4 therapies. The Company has implemented a global development plan for multiple types of solid tumors with an adaptive treatment design for porustobart. Positive efficacy and safety data have been observed in the monotherapy trial targeting advanced solid tumors, as well as in combination trials with PD-1 inhibitors for melanoma, CRC, NEN and HCC.

HBM1020 is a first-in-class fully human monoclonal antibody generated from the H2L2 Harbour Mice platform targeting B7H7. As a newly discovered member of the B7 family, B7H7 expression is found to be non-overlapping with PD-L1 expression in multiple tumor types, potentially playing a more significant role in tumor immune evasion. With its excellent product design and target features, HBM1020 presents great potential to address significant unmet medical needs for solid tumors. In September 2024, the Company presented the latest clinical data for patients with advanced solid tumors at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2024. The data demonstrated excellent safety and tolerability profiles for HBM1020. Of the 15 patients who received post-treatment tumor assessments, 7 patients (46.7%) achieved stable disease (SD), with two patients showing tumor shrinkage of 11% and 25%.

Main products in IND and IND-enabling stages include:

HBM7020 is a BCMAxCD3 bispecific antibody generated using the fully human HBICE bispecific technology and Harbour Mice platform. HBM7020 can crosslink targeted cells and T cells by binding to BCMA and CD3 on the cell surface, leading to potent T cell activation and cell elimination. By incorporating dual anti-BCMA binding sites for optimal cell targeting and monovalent-optimized CD3 activity to minimize CRS, HBM7020 demonstrated potent cytotoxicity with broad applications in both immunological and oncology diseases. In August 2023, HBM7020 obtained IND clearance from the NMPA to commence a Phase I trial for cancer in China. In 2024, the Company restructured its development strategy to target immunological diseases and is currently preparing an IND application.

HBM9027 is a novel PD-L1xCD40 bispecific antibody developed using the HBICE bispecific antibody technology and Harbour Mice platform. The development of PD-L1xCD40 bispecific antibody further expands the Company’s bispecific immune cell engager into the cutting-edge DC/myeloid cell engager field, showcasing the HBICE platform’s versatile geometry formats and plug-and-play advantages. In January 2024, HBM9027 obtained IND approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a Phase I clinical trial in the U.S.

HBM7004 is a novel B7H4xCD3 bispecific antibody. Using HBICE bispecific technology and Harbour Mice platform, this bispecific antibody was designed to provide innovative solutions for cancer immunotherapy from both efficacy and safety perspectives. The development of B7H4xCD3 bispecific HBICE further consolidates the Company’s bispecific immune cell engager platform, demonstrating the HBICE platform’s versatility and plug-and-play advantages. In preclinical studies, HBM7004 demonstrated an intratumor B7H4-dependent T cell activation manner. In multiple animal models, HBM7004 showed strong anti-tumor efficacy, remarkable in vivo stability, and reduced systemic toxicity. Additionally, in preclinical models, HBM7004 exhibited a strong synergistic effect when combined with a B7H4x4-1BB bispecific antibody at a low effector-to-target cell ratio, indicating an encouraging therapeutic window. The Company is currently conducting IND-enabling studies for HBM7004.

HBM9014 is a first-in-class, fully human antibody targeting leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) for cancer treatment. It was discovered using the Harbour Mice platform. HBM9014 blocks multiple IL-6 family cytokine pathways via LIFR to inhibit their function in promoting tumor progression, metastasis and chemoresistance. In preclinical studies, HBM9014 showed significant in vivo antitumor efficacy and enhanced efficacy in combination with cisplatin in multiple tumor models. In addition, HBM9014 exhibited strong tolerability in toxicology studies conducted on primates. In 2025, the Company will continue to actively explore drug development strategies and seek collaboration opportunities.

Strategic Business Collaborations Maximizing Platform Value

Harbour BioMed’s ongoing commitment to global partnerships is critical to driving both scientific and commercial success. In 2024, the Company continued expanding its business collaborations with leading academic institutions and select industrial partners, focused on driving innovation and efficiency worldwide.

Leveraging its technological advantages, Harbour BioMed established Nona Biosciences to better empower industry innovators and support collaborators from Idea to IND (I to ITM). Nona Biosciences is a global biotechnology company committed to providing integrated solutions for partners worldwide, across academia, biotechnology startups, and biopharmaceutical giants. Since its launch in late 2022, Nona Biosciences has achieved remarkable success, securing numerous international collaborations across various innovative formats. The subsidiary has established four leading technology units based on HCAb, including protein engineering, conjugation technology, delivery technology, and cell therapy, to accelerate the development of next-generation therapies.

Nona Biosciences signed a global out-license and option agreement with AstraZeneca in May 2024 for preclinical monoclonal antibodies to be used in developing targeted oncology therapies. In December 2024, Nona Biosciences entered a research collaboration and license agreement with Candid Therapeutics to discover next-generation T-cell engagers. Over the past year, Nona Biosciences has also formed research collaborations with multiple partners across various therapeutics areas, including Boostimmune, Alaya.bio, Umoja Biopharma, Alkyon Therapeutics, OverT Bio, and Kodiak Sciences.

In January 2025, the Company announced a license agreement with Windward Bio for HBM9378, an anti-TSLP fully human antibody for immunological diseases. In February 2025, HBM Alpha Therapeutics, an innovative biotechnology company incubated by the Company, announced a strategic collaboration and license agreement with a business partner to advance novel therapies targeting corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) for various disorders.

These collaborations further highlight the Company’s unique strengths in pushing technological boundaries and exploring new innovation pathways. With its industry-leading technology platforms and a flexible business model, the Company will continue seeking new opportunities to expand its collaboration network and maximize the value of its platforms.

Incubating Breakthrough Collaborations for the Future

To fully harness the potential of its unique platform technologies, Harbour BioMed continues to explore the scalability of its platform applications. The Company is incubating several joint ventures focused on next-generation therapeutics, ranging from multivalence antibodies to cell therapies. These ventures aim to broaden the application of platform technologies and create additional value for the Company. This innovative incubation model facilitates the integration of incremental resources for the diversified development of next-generation innovations, requiring minimal marginal investment while offering a high return on value growth. Representative projects include HBM Alpha Therapeutics and Shanghai NK Cell Technology Limited.

2025 Outlook: Expanding Global Presence and Driving Innovation

Looking ahead to 2025, Harbour BioMed will continue driving business growth and accomplishing its mission through two key pillars, Harbour Therapeutics and Nona Biosciences. Harbour Therapeutic will advance multiple clinical trials of its internal pipeline to fully advance the global clinical development project, while Nona Biosciences will continue providing integrated discovery solutions to biotech and pharmaceutical companies, ultimately fostering an innovation ecosystem that promotes biological advancement.

A range of products derived from the Company’s Harbour Mice technology platform and T-cell engager technology will be advanced in immunology, and the ADC platform will be upgraded to the next generation. Through a combination of in-house development and business collaborations, Harbour BioMed will build a portfolio of products with differentiated competitive advantages both in immunology and immuno-oncology.

Maximizing the value of its platform through strategic collaborations will continue to drive the Company’s global expansion. In 2025, as the preclinical product pipeline matures, the company expects to expand its collaboration network even further and enter into broader global partnerships, solidifying its leading position in the global market.

UZLeuven and VIB-KU Leuven Announce First Patient Treated in Ground-Breaking Malignant Melanoma Study

On March 31, 2025 UZ Leuven and VIB-KU Leuven, in collaboration with Seattle-based Presage Biosciences, reported the first patient treated in a Non-randomized (phase I – pharmacodynamic only) open label, single center single arm interventional pilot study (Press release, Presage Biosciences, MAR 31, 2025, View Source [SID1234651696]). By combining intratumoral treatment with systemic anti-PD1 therapy in first line patients with metastatic (stage IV) or inoperable stage III melanoma, the trial studies how patient tumors respond to up to 7 different drugs simultaneously dosed intratumorally with the help of Presage’s Comparative In Vivo Oncology (CIVO) microinjection device.

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The drugs are spatially microdosed in a patient’s tumor while they are also undergoing anti-PD1 systemic therapy with the goal of identifying drugs that have an enhanced combination effect in this patient population. The localized effect of the different drugs is analyzed with cutting edge single cell spatial technology providing new insights into melanoma biology and the anti-tumor action of the CIVO dosed drugs when combined with systemic anti-PD1 therapy.

Prof. Dr. Oliver Bechter, Medical Oncologist at UZ Leuven, comments on this innovative study design: "This is the first study of its kind studying locally administered anti-cancer drugs in combination with systemic anti-PD1 therapy in first line treated melanoma patients. With this pilot study we intend to study the effect of novel combination therapies intratumorally very early in the treatment course of melanoma patients. This pilot study will show the feasibility of such an approach to find new treatments especially for anti-PD1 refractory patients."

Prof. Dr. Chris Marine, Cancer Biologist of the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology added: "The introduction of this groundbreaking technology has ushered us into a new frontier in translational research, enabling us to translate our most promising laboratory discoveries directly into patients. By utilizing our expertise in advanced spatial multi-omics, we will gain an unparalleled understanding of each tumor’s biology and its sensitivity to various drug combinations. The unique data generated from this will be invaluable in accelerating our efforts to combat this disease."

This first of its kind study is made possible by the multiplex CIVO delivery technology developed by Presage that is now being used in early phase clinical studies to evaluate multiple investigational new drugs and combinations all within a single intact patient tumor. Jason Frazier, VP of Technology and Research Operations at Presage echoed the enthusiasm for this novel clinical study design: "Drs. Bechter and Marine and their teams at UZ Leuven and VIB-KU Leuven have come up with an exciting and innovative clinical study design to assess tumor response to multiple different drugs in combination with Check Point blockade using our CIVO technology. This personalized approach to identify effective combination therapies holds great promise for the treatment of melanoma patients."