Immunovaccine Shows Preclinical Research At Cancer Meeting

Immunovaccine (TSX:IMV, OTCQX:IMMVF) presented new preclinical data showcasing new options for its DepoVac-based therapeutic vaccine platform.
As quoted in the press release:

New preclinical data presented at the 2017 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting demonstrated that phosphatidylserine (PS) targeting antibodies can enhance the anti-cancer activity of its DepoVax™-based therapeutic vaccine platform.
In the study, researchers combined a Peregrine Pharmaceuticals’ PS-targeting antibody compound (mch1N11) with a DepoVax™-based HPV16 peptide vaccine and metronomic cyclophosphamide (mCPA). This combined immunotherapy prolonged survival in C3 mouse models as compared to mice receiving an isotope control in combination with DepoVax™/mCPA. Additional analysis also demonstrated an increase in T cells in the tumor following treatment. Taken together, researchers believe that the data suggests that the antibody targeting PS can increase the anti-tumor immune response induced by a DepoVax™-based cancer immunotherapy.
“This study is another step in our exploration of combining DepoVax™-based cancer vaccines and other promising immuno-modulatory compounds,” said Marianne Stanford, PhD Vice President, Research for Immunovaccine. “Our process of generating supportive preclinical data to guide a potential clinical path forward has been effective in identifying these novel combinations in the past. We now look forward to continued work with our partners to advance combination candidates into and through the clinic, with the goal of expanding treatment options for hard-to-treat cancers.”
The study was designed to analyze the potential synergistic effects of combining DPX-based immunotherapies with bavituximab, Peregrine’s investigational chimeric monoclonal antibody that targets PS.
This data follows Immunovaccine’s 2016 AACR poster, which highlighted the potential for DPX-based cancer vaccines to improve tumor responses to checkpoint inhibitors. In February, the Company announced an investigator-sponsored Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the use of the currently marketed anti-PD-1 drug, pembrolizumab when combined with Immunovaccine’s lead immuno-oncology candidate, DPX-Survivac, and metronomic cyclophosphamide.
About DepoVax™
DepoVax™ is a patented formulation that provides controlled and prolonged exposure of antigens plus adjuvant to the immune system, resulting in a strong, specific and sustained immune response with the potential for single-dose effectiveness. The DepoVax™ platform is flexible and can be used with a broad range of target antigens for preventative or therapeutic applications. The technology is designed to be commercially scalable, with the potential for years of shelf life stability. Fully synthetic, off-the-shelf DepoVax™-based vaccines are also relatively easy to manufacture, store, and administer. These characteristics enable Immunovaccine to pursue vaccine candidates in cancer, infectious diseases and other vaccine applications.

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