Defence's AccuTOX Boosts and Synergizes with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Rhea-AI Summary

Defence Therapeutics (CSE: DTC, OTCQB: DTCFF) has announced that its Accum-002™ (AccuTOX®) exhibits dual functionality: acting as a tumor-killing molecule and an immune booster. AccuTOX® works synergistically with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) to enhance the immune system's capability to recognize and attack tumors. This is particularly significant as many solid tumors create a 'cold' environment that impedes immune response, leading to low success rates in ICI treatments. AccuTOX® transforms these cold tumors into 'hot' tumors, significantly increasing the effectiveness of ICIs. Preclinical studies showed a tenfold increase in efficacy when AccuTOX® is combined with various ICIs. Defence is open to partnerships to further develop this promising treatment.

Positive

• AccuTOX® synergizes with ICIs, enhancing their efficacy.
• Transforms cold tumors into hot tumors, increasing immune response.
• Preclinical studies show a tenfold increase in ICI efficacy when combined with AccuTOX®.
• Potential for market expansion due to increased eligible patient population for ICI treatments.

Negative

• None.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 28, 2024) - Defence Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: DTC) (OTCQB: DTCFF) (FSE: DTC) ("Defence" or the "Company"), a Canadian biopharmaceutical company developing novel immune-oncology vaccines and drug delivery technologies, is please to announce that Defence's Accum-002^TM ("AccuTOX^®") has different mode of actions: AccuTOX^® is working as a tumor killing molecule and as an immune booster. AccuTOX^® mode of action synergizes with the activity of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ("ICI") and the immune system itself.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors produces promising therapeutic effects in treatments of solid tumors. However, their overall response rate is still very low for a few patients suffering of solid tumors. For example, melanoma patient is one population group having the best response with only 20% of patients having a complete or partial response to ICI treatment. To explain the intrinsic resistant of those majority of patients to the ICI treatment, the scientific community discovered that those tumors have a cold tumor environment which block the patient immune system to recognize and attack the cancer cells. This cold environment is translated in part by a low level of immune infiltrating cell inside the tumor and by decreasing the potential of the immune system to recognize tumor as a non healthy tissue and to promote the attack and destruction of tumor cells.

The scientific and medical community is seeking solutions to this intrinsic resistance by transforming this cold tumor into hot tumor by using combination treatments with ICI. This transformation into hot tumor will increase tumor vulnerability to ICI treatment and to the immune system attacks.

Defence Therapeutics team have discovered that the mode of action of AccuTOX^® exploits this tumor vulnerability by inducing immune system recruitment and increasing the tumor recognition by the immune system, which synergized with ICI mode of actions. Surprisingly and compared to competitors, AccuTOX^® induces the recruitment and/or the activation of different immune cells and transforms the cold tumor into very hot tumor which is easily recognized and attacked by the immune cells. These immune cells are responsible of tumor regression in context of ICI and other immunotherapy treatments. In other words, AccuTOX^® acts as an intelligent spotlight having specialized lens and biometric recognition software (facial and fingerprint recognition) for the immune system to recognize, focus, track and attack cancer tumors inside the body. AccuTOX^® has shown that it induces the death of cancer cells on its own mode of action and, more importantly, AccuTOX^® has the potential to transform a cold tumor into a hot tumor which the immune system will recognize, attack, and destroy.

AcccuTOX^® has the potential to treat more efficiently the patient who already has a positive response to ICI treatment and, in fact, AccuTOX^® can increase the patient population eligible to ICI treatment which shall increase the market of each existing ICI. The Company believes that AccuTOX^® is a strong candidate to enhance and boost the therapeutic value of the ICI and is open to potential partnerships and collaborations in that regard.

Defence's scientific team has shown in many in vivo preclinical studies that AccuTOX^® significantly increases the efficacy of several ICI (anti-PD1, anti-CD47, anti-LAG3 and anti-CTLA4) when combined with AccuTOX^®, by at least a factor of 10 folds, to treat different cancer indications. The PD1/PDL1 (which is the ICI used in most of Defence's AccuTOX^® in vivo preclinical studies) market is projected to grow from USD 36.4 Billion in 2023 to USD 139.7 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 18.3% during the forecast period of 2023-2032.
https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/pd-l1-inhibitors-market-19205

According to Allied Market Research, the global immune checkpoint inhibitors market was valued at USD $40.1 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach USD $189.4 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 16.8% from 2023 to 2032. The primary driver fueling the immune checkpoint inhibitors market is the rising global prevalence of cancer.
https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/immune-check-point-inhibitors-market

About Defence:
Defence Therapeutics is a publicly-traded clinical-stage biotechnology company working on engineering the next generation vaccines and ADC products using its proprietary platform. The core of Defence Therapeutics platform is the ACCUM^® technology, which enables precision delivery of vaccine antigens or ADCs inside target cells and favoring their processing and activities. As a result, increased efficacy and potency can be reached against catastrophic illness such as cancer and infectious diseases.

For further information:
Sebastien Plouffe, President, CEO and Director
P: (514) 947-2272
Splouffe@defencetherapeutics.com
www.defencetherapeutics.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Neither the CSE nor its market regulator, as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/214950

FAQ

What is AccuTOX® and how does it work?

AccuTOX® is a molecule developed by Defence Therapeutics that acts as both a tumor-killer and immune booster. It works synergistically with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) to enhance the immune system's ability to recognize and attack tumors.

How does AccuTOX® impact the treatment of solid tumors?

AccuTOX® transforms 'cold' tumors, which are less responsive to treatment, into 'hot' tumors that the immune system can more easily recognize and attack, thereby increasing the efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

What were the results of the preclinical studies involving AccuTOX®?

Preclinical studies showed that combining AccuTOX® with various Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors increased their efficacy by at least tenfold.

What is the market potential for AccuTOX®?

AccuTOX® has significant market potential by increasing the patient population eligible for ICI treatments and enhancing the therapeutic value of these treatments, potentially driving market expansion.

Is Defence Therapeutics open to partnerships for AccuTOX®?

Yes, Defence Therapeutics is open to potential partnerships and collaborations to further develop AccuTOX®.