On April 6, 2018 NewLink Genetics Corporation (NASDAQ:NLNK) reported a review of its clinical programs (Press release, NewLink Genetics, APR 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234525805]).
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This morning’s announcement by Incyte and Merck on the ECHO-301 trial for patients with advanced melanoma is a disappointing result for the IDO field. Indoximod, NewLink Genetics’ IDO pathway inhibitor, has a differentiated mechanism of action (MOA) which may demonstrate clinical benefit for patients where direct enzymatic inhibitors have not. In light of Incyte’s announcement, however, NewLink is undertaking a review of its clinical programs and will provide an update when it is completed.
NewLink Genetics has generated data for indoximod across several indications, and in combination with different modalities, suggesting the potential for indoximod to improve the outcomes for patients with cancer. The Company will present additional data at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) next week, including a poster presentation further supporting indoximod’s differentiated MOA and a plenary session presenting encouraging early clinical data of indoximod plus radiation for pediatric patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a rare and lethal form of brain cancer.
About Indoximod
Indoximod is an investigational, orally available small molecule targeting the IDO pathway. The IDO pathway is a key immuno-oncology target involved in regulating the tumor microenvironment and immune escape. Indoximod is being evaluated in combination with treatment regimens including anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents, cancer vaccines, radiation, and chemotherapy across multiple indications such as melanoma, pancreatic cancer and other malignancies.