CureVac to Present First CVGBM Glioblastoma Cancer Vaccine Clinical Data at ESMO 2024 Congress

Rhea-AI Summary

CureVac N.V. (Nasdaq:CVAC) announced the presentation of first clinical data from its Phase 1 CVGBM cancer vaccine study in patients with resected glioblastoma at the ESMO Congress 2024. The study evaluates the safety and tolerability of CVGBM in patients with newly diagnosed and surgically resected MGMT-promoter unmethylated glioblastoma or astrocytoma. Key points:

• Oral presentation on September 13 will cover Part A results, including safety, tolerability, and initial immunogenicity data for dose levels of 12-100 μg
• Treatment-emergent adverse events were mostly Grade 1-2 with no dose-limiting toxicities
• CVGBM features a single unmodified mRNA encoding eight epitopes from tumor-associated antigens
• Part B enrollment began earlier this year, expected to include up to 20 additional patients at the recommended 100 μg dose

Positive

• First-in-human clinical data for CVGBM cancer vaccine to be presented at major oncology conference
• No dose-limiting toxicities observed in Phase 1 study
• Treatment-emergent adverse events were mostly mild to moderate (Grade 1-2)
• Enrollment for Part B of the study has begun, expanding patient population

Negative

• Only initial data from Part A of the study available, full efficacy results not yet known
• Study to a specific subset of glioblastoma patients (MGMT-promoter unmethylated)

Insights

Medical Research Analyst

This early-stage clinical trial data for CureVac's glioblastoma vaccine is promising, albeit preliminary. The safety profile appears favorable, with mostly Grade 1-2 adverse events and no dose-limiting toxicities. This is important for a novel mRNA-based cancer vaccine. The 100 μg dose selection for expansion suggests a potential optimal balance of safety and efficacy.

However, we must temper enthusiasm. Glioblastoma is notoriously difficult to treat, with a poor prognosis. While initial immunogenicity data is encouraging, it's too early to draw conclusions about efficacy. The MGMT-unmethylated patient population targeted here typically has worse outcomes, potentially offering a clearer signal if the vaccine shows benefit. Investors should watch for more comprehensive data, particularly on progression-free and overall survival in future readouts.

Oncology Doctor

The potential of mRNA-based cancer vaccines in glioblastoma is intriguing. The multi-epitope approach targeting eight tumor-associated antigens could theoretically provoke a broader immune response than single-antigen vaccines. This may be particularly valuable in glioblastoma, known for its heterogeneity and immune-suppressive microenvironment.

The focus on MGMT-unmethylated patients is strategic. These patients typically respond poorly to standard temozolomide chemotherapy, representing a significant unmet need. If CVGBM can demonstrate meaningful benefit in this population, it could quickly become a valuable treatment option. However, we need to see robust immunological responses translating into clinical benefit. The upcoming ESMO presentation should provide important insights into whether this approach can overcome the historical challenges of immunotherapy in glioblastoma.

Financial Analyst

While the clinical data is promising, investors should approach with cautious optimism. The glioblastoma market, estimated at $1.4 billion globally, presents a significant opportunity. However, it's a challenging space with many failed trials. CureVac's mRNA platform could differentiate it, but success is far from guaranteed.

Financially, CureVac reported €495.8 million in cash as of Q2 2023, providing runway into 2025. This buffer allows for continued development without immediate financing pressure. The collaboration with GSK on infectious disease vaccines also provides additional resources and validation.

Investors should monitor the ESMO presentation closely. Positive data could drive significant share price movement, given CureVac's $1.3 billion market cap. However, remember that early-stage oncology assets carry high risk. This program, while promising, is just one part of CureVac's broader mRNA pipeline.

TÜBINGEN, GERMANY and BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 9, 2024 / CureVac N.V. (Nasdaq:CVAC) ("CureVac"), a global biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of transformative medicines based on messenger ribonucleic acid ("mRNA"), today announced that the first clinical data from CureVac's ongoing Phase 1 CVGBM cancer vaccine study in patients with resected glioblastoma will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress (Barcelona, Spain, September 13-17, 2024). Clinical data will be presented as an oral presentation on Friday, September 13, along with a poster presentation of preclinical data supporting the program's development.

"Cancer vaccines have tremendous potential to improve the outcome of cancer patients and particularly, mRNA technologies offer innovative and promising platforms that could enable us to finally make cancer vaccines a reality in clinical practice," said Dr. Myriam Mendila, Chief Scientific Officer of CureVac. "We are assessing a breakthrough approach to cancer vaccines that uses our distinctive mRNA technology in one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer and are very excited to share the first-in-human results of our mRNA technology platform in the GBLM trial in glioblastoma at ESMO."

The Phase 1 study includes a dose-escalation part (Part A) and dose-expansion part (Part B). Results for Part A will be covered in the oral presentation, with safety and tolerability as well as initial immunogenicity data provided for all evaluable patients at dose levels of 12-100 µg. A summary of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), which were mostly Grade 1-2 and yielded no dose-limiting toxicities as confirmed by a Data Safety Monitoring Board, will also be provided.

The Phase 1 study is evaluating the safety and tolerability of CVGBM in patients with newly diagnosed and surgically resected MGMT-promoter unmethylated glioblastoma or astrocytoma with a molecular signature of glioblastoma. CVGBM features a single unmodified mRNA encoding eight epitopes derived from known tumor-associated antigens, with demonstrated immunogenicity in glioblastoma. Enrollment began earlier this year for Part B of the study, which is expected to include up to an additional 20 patients at the recommended 100 µg dose.

Details on the presentations are below.

Abstract: 440O

Title: First in human study of the mRNA-based cancer vaccine CVGBM in patients with newly diagnosed and surgically resected MGMT-unmethylated glioblastoma (GBM): First results from the dose escalation phase
Session type: Proffered Paper
Date and Time: September 13, 14:00-14:10 CEST
Location: Pamplona Auditorium (Hall 3)
Speaker: Prof. Dr. Dr. Ghazaleh Tabatabai

Abstract: 22P

Title: Pre-clinical development of CVGBM: A therapeutic mRNA-based multiepitope vaccine for glioblastoma
Session type: Basic Science Poster
Date and Time: September 15, 09:00-17:00 CEST
Location: Hall 6
Speaker: Dr. Ronja I. Mülfarth

About CureVac

CureVac (Nasdaq:CVAC) is a pioneering multinational biotech company founded in 2000 to advance the field of messenger RNA (mRNA) technology for application in human medicine. In more than two decades of developing, optimizing, and manufacturing this versatile biological molecule for medical purposes, CureVac has introduced and refined key underlying technologies that were essential to the production of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, and is currently laying the groundwork for application of mRNA in new therapeutic areas of major unmet need. CureVac is leveraging mRNA technology, combined with advanced omics and computational tools, to design and develop off-the-shelf and personalized cancer vaccine product candidates. It also develops programs in prophylactic vaccines and in treatments that enable the human body to produce its own therapeutic proteins. Headquartered in Tübingen, Germany, CureVac also operates sites in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and the U.S. Further information can be found at www.curevac.com.

CureVac Media and Investor Relations Contact

Dr. Sarah Fakih, Vice President Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
CureVac, Tübingen, Germany
T: +49 7071 9883-1298
M: +49 160 90 496949
sarah.fakih@curevac.com

Forward-Looking Statements CureVac

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SOURCE: CureVac

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FAQ

What is CVGBM and what type of cancer does it target?

CVGBM is an mRNA-based cancer vaccine developed by CureVac (CVAC) that targets glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. It is being studied in patients with newly diagnosed and surgically resected MGMT-promoter unmethylated glioblastoma or astrocytoma with a molecular signature of glioblastoma.

When and where will CureVac present the CVGBM clinical data?

CureVac will present the first clinical data from the CVGBM Phase 1 study at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in Barcelona, Spain, on September 13, 2024.

What are the key findings from the CVGBM Phase 1 study?

The Phase 1 study showed that CVGBM was generally well-tolerated, with mostly Grade 1-2 treatment-emergent adverse events and no dose-limiting toxicities. Initial immunogenicity data for dose levels of 12-100 μg will be presented at ESMO 2024.

What is the current status of the CVGBM clinical trial?

The CVGBM trial has completed Part A (dose-escalation) and has begun enrollment for Part B (dose-expansion) earlier in 2024. Part B is expected to include up to 20 additional patients at the recommended 100 μg dose.