IO Biotech Announces Positive Results from Phase 2 Trial of IO102-IO103 in the First-line Treatment of Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

Rhea-AI Summary

IO Biotech (Nasdaq: IOBT) announced positive results from its Phase 2 trial of IO102-IO103, a therapeutic cancer vaccine, in combination with Merck's KEYTRUDA® for advanced head and neck cancer. The study met its primary endpoint with a 44.4% overall response rate in PD-L1 high patients. Key findings include:

- 6.6-month median progression-free survival
- 66.7% disease control rate
- Safety profile consistent with previous data
- T-cell responses detected for both IO102 and IO103

The trial enrolled patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with PD-L1 CPS ≥ 20. These results support further investigation of the combination as a potential first-line treatment for metastatic and difficult-to-treat cancers.

Positive

• Phase 2 trial met primary endpoint with 44.4% overall response rate in PD-L1 high SCCHN patients
• Encouraging 6.6-month median progression-free survival observed
• 66.7% disease control rate achieved
• Safety profile consistent with previous data, no new safety signals observed
• T-cell responses detected for both IO102 and IO103 vaccine components
• Results support potential of IO102-IO103 as first-line treatment for advanced head and neck cancer

Negative

• None.

Medical Research Analyst

The Phase 2 trial results for IO102-IO103 in combination with pembrolizumab are promising for advanced head and neck cancer treatment. The 44.4% overall response rate in PD-L1 high SCCHN patients is clinically significant, surpassing historical benchmarks for pembrolizumab monotherapy. The 6.6-month median progression-free survival is encouraging, suggesting durable responses. The 66.7% disease control rate further supports the combination's efficacy. Importantly, the safety profile aligns with previous studies, indicating no added significant toxicity compared to anti-PD1 monotherapy. The detection of T-cell responses to both IO102 and IO103 provides mechanistic support for the vaccine's immunomodulatory effects. These results warrant further investigation in larger trials to confirm the potential of this combination as a first-line treatment option for SCCHN patients.

Oncology Doctor

As an oncologist, I find these results particularly intriguing for head and neck cancer treatment. The 44.4% ORR in PD-L1 high SCCHN patients, regardless of HPV status, is noteworthy. This suggests potential broad applicability across SCCHN subtypes. The 6.6-month median PFS is promising, especially considering the aggressive nature of this cancer. The 66.7% disease control rate indicates that a majority of patients derived some benefit. The safety profile is reassuring, as managing toxicities is important in this patient population. The T-cell response data provides valuable insights into the vaccine's mechanism of action. While these results are encouraging, it's important to note the small sample size (18 patients) and await larger, randomized trials to confirm efficacy and safety in a broader population.

Financial Analyst

From a financial perspective, these results are positive for IO Biotech. The company's lead candidate, IO102-IO103, has demonstrated promising efficacy in a difficult-to-treat cancer, potentially expanding its market opportunity. The combination with Merck's Keytruda, a blockbuster drug, could lead to lucrative partnership opportunities. The positive data in both head and neck cancer and melanoma suggests broad applicability, which could increase the therapy's commercial potential. However, investors should note that this is still a Phase 2 trial with a small sample size. The company will need to conduct larger, pivotal trials to seek regulatory approval. The financial implications will depend on the outcome of these future studies and potential partnerships. While promising, it's important to consider the long development timeline and substantial costs associated with bringing a novel cancer therapy to market.

-- Study Meets Overall Response Rate Primary Endpoint, Encouraging Secondary Endpoint Progression-Free Survival Data in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Cohort --

-- No New Safety Signals or Added Systemic Safety Concerns Observed --

-- Data Presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress --

NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IO Biotech (Nasdaq: IOBT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, off-the-shelf, immune-modulating therapeutic cancer vaccines, announced promising data from the Phase 2 basket trial of IO102-IO103, the company’s lead investigational therapeutic cancer vaccine candidate, in combination with Merck’s (known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada) anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) (IOB-022/KN-D38) at the 2024 ESMO Congress in Barcelona from September 13-17.

The presentation contained clinical and biomarker data from a cohort of patients with recurrent or metastatic (advanced) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with PD-L1 CPS ≥ 20 (PD-L1 high), contributing to the growing body of research supporting the potential clinical benefit of this combination regimen for these patients. The data from 18 efficacy evaluable patients demonstrated:

• Achievement of the primary endpoint – confirmed 44.4% overall response rate (ORR) in a PD-L1 high population of patients with SCCHN irrespective of HPV status.
• An encouraging 6.6-month median progression-free survival (PFS).
• A 66.7% disease control rate (DCR).
• A safety profile consistent with previously reported data when combined with anti-PD-1 monotherapy.
• T-cell responses to both IO102 (targeting IDO) and IO103 (targeting PD-L1) were detected after treatment.
  

“These encouraging data further support the potential of IO102-IO103 in combination with pembrolizumab as first-line treatment for patients with recurrent or metastatic SCCHN including HPV-positive and -negative patients,” stated Jonathan Riess, MD, principal investigator of the trial and Director, Thoracic Oncology at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Given the need for new treatment options that are effective, safe and accessible for head and neck cancer patients, further investigation of this combination should be conducted to build on the findings of this Phase 2 trial.”

“With the data we’ve presented from studies in head and neck cancer and in melanoma, evidence is accumulating that the combination of IO102-IO103 with the anti-PD-1 therapy pembrolizumab could be a safe and efficacious first-line treatment for patients with a range of cancers, including those with metastatic and difficult-to-treat disease,” said Qasim Ahmad, MD, Chief Medical Officer of IO Biotech. “Importantly, with mPFS of 6.6 months, more than half of the patients in this trial had over 180 days of progression-free survival. These data are supportive of further investigation of this combination regimen as part of our commitment to transform the lives of cancer patients through our novel therapeutic vaccine.”

The Phase 2 basket study (IOB-022/KN-D38; NCT05077709) is a non-comparative, open-label trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of IO102-IO103 in combination with pembrolizumab as a first-line treatment in up to 60 patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with PD-L1 TPS ≥ 50% and recurrent or metastatic SCCHN with PD-L1 CPS ≥ 20. The primary endpoint of the study is overall response rate. Patients enrolled in the study who had at least 2 post-baseline tumor assessments or who discontinued after 2 cycles of study treatment as of the data cut off of August 2, 2024 were considered efficacy evaluable and were included in the ESMO poster presentation.

To date, the safety profile observed in this study (OB-022/KN-D38) is consistent with prior studies of IO102-IO103 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, with no added significant systemic toxicity compared to anti-PD1 monotherapy and low-grade transient injection site reactions reported as the most common treatment related adverse events​. The trial has completed enrollment of patients in all cohorts. Data from the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cohort of this study will also be presented at another medical meeting in the fall.

The poster can be found on the “Posters & Publications” page of the IO Biotech website. Details for the presentation are below:

Poster Title: A phase 2 trial of the IO102-IO103 vaccine plus pembrolizumab: completed cohort for first line (1L) treatment of advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN)
Presentation number: 1022P
Presenter: Jonathan W. Riess, MD, MS (UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center)
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CEST

About IO102-IO103

IO102-IO103 is an investigational off-the-shelf therapeutic cancer vaccine designed to kill both tumor cells and immune-suppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) by stimulating activation and expansion of T cells against indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) positive and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) positive cells. The company is currently conducting a pivotal Phase 3 trial (IOB-013/KN-D18; NCT05155254) investigating IO102-IO103 in combination with pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab alone in patients with advanced melanoma, a Phase 2 basket trial (IOB-022/KN-D38; NCT05077709) investigating IO102-IO103 in combination with pembrolizumab as first line treatment in patients with solid tumors, and a Phase 2 basket trial (IOB-032/PN-E40; NCT05280314) investigating IO102-IO103 in combination with pembrolizumab as neo-adjuvant/adjuvant treatment of patients with solid tumors.

The clinical trials are sponsored by IO Biotech and conducted in collaboration with Merck, which is supplying pembrolizumab. IO Biotech maintains global commercial rights to IO102-IO103.

KEYTRUDA® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.

About IOB-022/KN-D38 Phase 2 Solid Tumor Basket Trial

IOB-022/KN-D38 (NCT05077709) is a non-comparative, open-label trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of IO102-IO103 in combination with pembrolizumab in first-line advanced cancers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). IO Biotech is sponsoring the Phase 2 trial and Merck is supplying pembrolizumab. IO Biotech maintains global commercial rights to IO102-IO103.

About IO Biotech

IO Biotech is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, immune-modulating therapeutic cancer vaccines based on its T-win® platform. The T-win platform is based on a novel approach to cancer vaccines designed to activate T cells to target the immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment. IO Biotech is advancing its lead cancer vaccine candidate, IO102-IO103, in clinical trials, and additional pipeline candidates through preclinical development. Based on positive Phase 1/2 first line metastatic melanoma data, IO102-IO103, in combination with pembrolizumab, has been granted a breakthrough therapy designation for the treatment of advanced melanoma by the US Food and Drug Administration. IO Biotech is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark and has US headquarters in New York, New York.

For further information, please visit www.iobiotech.com. Follow us on our social media channels on LinkedIn and X (@IOBiotech).

Forward-Looking Statement

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. Forward-looking statements, including regarding the timing or outcome of primary analysis of the company’s Phase 3 trial, other current or future clinical trials, their progress, enrollment or results, or the company’s financial position or cash runway, are based on IO Biotech’s current assumptions and expectations of future events and trends, which affect or may affect its business, strategy, operations or financial performance, and actual results and other events may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements due to numerous risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and should not be unduly relied upon. Except to the extent required by law, IO Biotech undertakes no obligation to update these statements, whether as a result of any new information, future developments or otherwise.

Contact:

Investors
Maryann Cimino, Director of Investor Relations
IO Biotech, Inc.
617-710-7305
mci@iobiotech.com

Media
Julie Funesti
Salutem
917-498-1967
Julie.Funesti@salutemcomms.com

FAQ

What were the key results of IO Biotech's Phase 2 trial for IO102-IO103 in head and neck cancer?

The Phase 2 trial of IO102-IO103 in combination with KEYTRUDA® for advanced head and neck cancer met its primary endpoint with a 44.4% overall response rate. It also showed a 6.6-month median progression-free survival and a 66.7% disease control rate in PD-L1 high patients with SCCHN.

What is the significance of the IO102-IO103 trial results for IOBT stock?

The positive Phase 2 results support the potential of IO102-IO103 as a first-line treatment for advanced head and neck cancer, which could be significant for IOBT's future market prospects and stock performance if further studies confirm these findings.

How did the safety profile of IO102-IO103 compare to previous studies?

The safety profile of IO102-IO103 in combination with KEYTRUDA® was consistent with previously reported data when combined with anti-PD-1 monotherapy, showing no new safety signals or added systemic safety concerns.

What is the next step for IO Biotech (IOBT) following these Phase 2 results?

Following these positive Phase 2 results, IO Biotech is likely to conduct further investigations of the IO102-IO103 combination regimen in larger trials to build on these findings and potentially pursue regulatory approval for first-line treatment of advanced head and neck cancer.