Defence's Successful Results on Its AccuTOX Anti-Cancer ARM Vaccine Creates a Potent Second-Generation Anti-Cancer ARM-002 Vaccine

Rhea-AI Summary

Defence Therapeutics Inc. announces successful testing of second-generation anti-cancer vaccine ARM-002TM with promising results in melanoma model. The vaccine shows an 80% complete response rate when combined with anti-PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor. Defence reprogrammed MSCs using AccuTOX® to create a potent antigen presenting cell vaccine, reducing antigen preparation challenges. The company plans to expand testing to ovarian and pancreatic cancers and initiate Phase I trials targeting solid tumors.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 26, 2024) - Defence Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: DTC) (OTCQB: DTCFF) (FSE: DTC) ("Defence" or the "Company"), a Canadian biotechnology company developing novel immune-oncology therapeutics and drug delivery technologies, is pleased to announce the successful testing of a second-generation anti-cancer vaccine, called ARM-002^TM, using its lead anti-cancer molecule AccuTOX^®. When tested as a therapeutic vaccine in a melanoma cancer model, ARM-002^TM leads to an 80% complete response when combined with the anti-PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor.

Compared to current anti-cancer strategies, vaccination can stimulate specific immune responses capable of potentially curing established tumors. In addition, developed immune cells can lead to a long-lasting memory response capable of further protecting the patient from subsequent cancer relapses. Using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) as a vaccination platform; Defence has previously shown that it is possible to pharmacologically reprogram these immune-suppressive cells into potent antigen presenting cells using its Accum^® derivative called A1 (ARM^TM vaccine). Although the ARM^TM vaccine can effectively present antigens to responding T cells, the large amount of antigen preparation required to generate the cellular vaccine might represent challenges in the clinic. Defence elected to test its lead AccuTOX^® molecule to engineer a second-generation anti-cancer vaccine as the latter was shown to directly enhance antigen presentation in cancer cells if delivered intratumorally at lower doses.

"AccuTOX^® is an amazing molecule! AccuTOX^® has the capacity to trigger cancer cell death when used as a direct cancer injectable, and AccuTOX^®, the same molecule, converts MSCs into potent antigen presenting cells capable of priming potent anti-tumoral responses using a 10-fold lower antigen preparation," says Mr. Plouffe, Chief Executive Officer of Defence Therapeutics.

The ARM-002^TM vaccine was tested in vivo in the context of melanoma. The vaccine elicited an impressive anti-tumoral response, which prompt the team to widen its scope of application by further testing it on "hard to treat" ovarian and pancreatic cancers. The Defence team are conducting additional studies in parallel to decipher the exact mode of action of AccuTOX^® in reprograming MSCs while studying the mechanistic behind the ARM-002^TM potency using different in vivo studies. Once these studies finalized and the "Dry Run" manufacturing of the ARM-002^TM vaccine completed, a request to obtain clearance for a Phase I trial targeting a basket of solid tumors will be initiated.

Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the solid tumours market was valued at $209.61-billion (U.S.) in 2021 and is expected to reach $901.27-billion (U.S.) by 2029, registering a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 20 per cent during the forecast period of 2022 to 2029.
https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-solid-tumors-market#:~:text=Data%20Bridge%20Market%20Research%20analyses,period%20of%202022%20to%202029.

About Defence:
Defence Therapeutics is a publicly-traded 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 in their intact form to target cells. 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/203010

FAQ

What is the name of the second-generation anti-cancer vaccine tested by Defence Therapeutics?

The second-generation anti-cancer vaccine tested by Defence Therapeutics is called ARM-002TM.

What results were achieved in the melanoma cancer model with the ARM-002TM vaccine?

In the melanoma cancer model, the ARM-002TM vaccine led to an impressive 80% complete response rate when combined with the anti-PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor.

How did Defence Therapeutics reprogram MSCs to create the ARM-002TM vaccine?

Defence Therapeutics reprogrammed MSCs using its lead anti-cancer molecule AccuTOX® to create a potent antigen presenting cell vaccine.

What are the future testing plans for the ARM-002TM vaccine by Defence Therapeutics?

Defence Therapeutics plans to expand testing of the ARM-002TM vaccine to 'hard to treat' ovarian and pancreatic cancers and initiate Phase I trials targeting a basket of solid tumors.

What is the expected growth rate of the solid tumors market according to Data Bridge Market Research?

Data Bridge Market Research predicts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20% for the solid tumors market, expected to reach $901.27-billion (U.S.) by 2029.