CEL-SCI Completes Commissioning of Its Multikine Manufacturing Facility for Commercial Scale Production of Head & Neck Cancer Drug
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Insights
The completion of CEL-SCI Corporation's manufacturing facility for Multikine is a critical step in the drug development process, particularly for biologics which are subject to stringent production standards due to their biological nature. The facility's readiness indicates that CEL-SCI is advancing towards the regulatory approval phase, which is a significant risk reduction milestone for investors and stakeholders. It's important to note that the ability to produce a biologic at scale, with consistent quality, is a non-trivial challenge and a substantial value driver for a biopharmaceutical firm.
Furthermore, the mention of a 'manufacturing trade secret' suggests proprietary processes that could provide competitive advantages in terms of production efficiency or product quality. This could potentially lead to barriers to entry for competitors and is a factor that could influence the company's market share and pricing power upon approval of Multikine.
As a treatment for head and neck cancer, Multikine represents a class of immunotherapy drugs that aim to stimulate the body's immune response against cancer cells. The successful commissioning of the manufacturing facility is pivotal for ensuring that, upon potential FDA approval, the drug can be produced in the quantities needed for widespread clinical use. For patients, this could mean access to new therapies that may improve survival rates or quality of life. However, it is essential to evaluate the clinical data from the Phase 3 trial to understand the efficacy and safety profile of Multikine in the context of existing treatments.
From a market perspective, the development of Multikine and its potential approval could disrupt the current market dynamics for head and neck cancer treatments. It's critical to assess the size of the addressable market and the current competition. If Multikine demonstrates a clear advantage over existing therapies, either in efficacy or safety, it could capture a significant market share. The investment community will closely watch the regulatory review process, as approval is a key value inflection point. It's also worth considering the potential for strategic partnerships or licensing agreements that could arise following successful facility commissioning and subsequent approval steps, which could further influence CEL-SCI's market valuation.
Marks key achievement that is a prerequisite to filing a Biologics License Application with the FDA and other regulators for marketing approval
“This is a very significant milestone in bringing Multikine to market since the manufacturing facility is part of a planned Biologics License Application required for approval of Multikine in the treatment of head and neck cancer,” stated CEL-SCI’s CEO Geert Kersten.
“The high degree of complexity involved in manufacturing Multikine has required tremendous investment and time on CEL-SCI's part. Our manufacturing trade secret, capability, and know-how are high-value key strategic assets that would be very difficult for others to replicate. This achievement marks a very big step towards the preparation of Multikine for marketing approval,” Kersten added.
Originally constructed to supply Multikine for the world’s largest global pivotal Phase 3 trial in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, CEL-SCI’s facility has been expanded and upgraded in preparation for the Company’s submission of Multikine for regulatory approval and commercial scale manufacturing. In keeping with CEL-SCI Validation Master Plan, industry standards, International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) guidelines, International Conference for Harmonization (ICH), and in compliance with regulatory guidelines, CEL-SCI undertook commissioning and qualifying the facility’s utilities, systems, and equipment.
About CEL-SCI Corporation
CEL-SCI believes that boosting a patient’s immune system while it is still intact should provide the greatest possible impact on survival. Multikine is designed to help the immune system “target” the tumor at a time when the immune system is still relatively intact and thereby thought to be better able to mount an attack on the tumor. In a Phase 3 study, CEL-SCI studied patients who were newly diagnosed with locally advanced primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (oral cavity and soft-palate) with the investigational product Multikine administered first, before they received the standard of care, which involved surgery followed by either radiation or chemoradiation. The Phase 3 study enrolled 928 patients. Our approach is unique because most other cancer immunotherapies are administered only after conventional therapies have been tried and/or failed.
After analyzing data from the Phase 3 study, we have better defined the target population, which is advanced primary head and neck cancer patients with no lymph node involvement and with low PD-L1 tumor expression. In the Phase 3 study, we observed statistically significant survival data in the final target population, showing that Multikine cut the risk of death in half at five years vs control. We plan to submit the proposed study protocol to the FDA in Q1 2024, with the goal to get FDA buy-in for a confirmatory clinical trial, and also to discuss potential accelerated approval pathways.
Multikine (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection) received Orphan Drug designation from the FDA for neoadjuvant therapy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (cancer) of the head and neck.
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Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. When used in this press release, the words "intends," "believes," "anticipated," "plans" and "expects," and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) the progress and timing of, and the amount of expenses associated with, our research, development and commercialization activities for our product candidates, including Multikine; (ii) our ability to duplicate the clinical results demonstrated in clinical studies, (iii) the timely development of any potential products that can be shown to be safe and effective, (iv) receiving necessary regulatory approvals, (v) difficulties in manufacturing any of the Company's potential products, (vi) our liquidity and ability to raise the necessary capital on acceptable terms, if at all. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 filed with the SEC on December 21, 2023 and the other reports we will with the SEC. You are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. The Company encourages you to consider all of these risks, uncertainties and other factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. As a result of these matters, changes in fact, assumptions not being realized or other circumstances, the Company's actual results may differ materially from the expected results discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. The forward-looking statements made in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
* Multikine (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection) is the trademark that CEL-SCI has registered for this investigational therapy. This proprietary name is subject to FDA review in connection with the Company's future anticipated regulatory submission for approval. Multikine has not been licensed or approved for sale, barter or exchange by the FDA or any other regulatory agency. Similarly, its safety or efficacy has not been established for any use.
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Gavin de Windt
CEL-SCI Corporation
(703) 506-9460
Source: CEL-SCI Corporation
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