IO Biotech Presents New Data at AACR 2024 Further Supporting Dual Mechanism of Action of Lead Cancer Vaccine, IO102-IO103
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Insights
The recent findings presented by IO Biotech at the AACR Annual Meeting indicate a significant advancement in cancer immunotherapy, particularly in the context of the T-win platform. The synergistic effect observed from the dual antigen approach targeting IDO1 and PD-L1 could represent a pivotal shift in how certain cancers are treated. In preclinical models, the cooperative reduction of tumor growth through distinct molecular pathways suggests a potential increase in the efficacy of the IO102-IO103 vaccine candidate.
From a research perspective, the different responses based on the levels of IDO1 and PD-L1 expression in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are notable. The ability to tailor a vaccine to either enhance T-effector functions or increase T cell infiltration and activation could allow for more personalized treatment strategies. The differentiation in the myeloid cell compartment's response to the PD-L1 vaccine adds another layer of complexity and potential to the therapy.
However, the transition from preclinical models to human efficacy is not always straightforward. The ongoing Phase 3 study's results will be critical in determining whether these preclinical observations translate into clinical benefits. Investors should monitor the progression of this study closely, as positive results could have a substantial impact on the company's valuation and the broader oncology market.
The release of non-clinical poster data by IO Biotech is a strategic move to maintain visibility and investor interest in its lead therapeutic cancer vaccine candidate. The biotech sector, especially companies involved in oncology, is highly competitive and data-driven. Investors often look for companies with a robust pipeline and promising early-stage results, which can lead to significant market movements upon the announcement of clinical trial outcomes.
The emphasis on the dual antigen approach may set IO Biotech apart in a crowded field, potentially leading to partnerships or even acquisition interest from larger pharmaceutical companies looking to expand their oncology portfolios. The specificity of IO Biotech's platform to distinct molecular pathways within the TME is a key differentiator that could drive investor confidence, particularly if the Phase 3 trials corroborate the preclinical data.
While the stock market is forward-looking, it is also prone to volatility based on the perceived risk and uncertainty of clinical trials. As such, the long-term impact on IO Biotech's stock will hinge on the success of their Phase 3 trials and subsequent regulatory approvals. Short-term fluctuations may occur as investors speculate on the trial's outcome and potential market penetration of IO102-IO103, should it receive approval.
The concept of using a dual antigen approach to enhance anti-tumor activity is a fascinating development in the field of cancer treatment. The ability to target two different antigens, IDO1 and PD-L1 and modulate the immune response in the tumor microenvironment could offer a more comprehensive approach to tackling tumor growth and immune suppression. This strategy might be particularly beneficial for patients who have not responded well to existing therapies.
The distinction between the vaccines' effects on different cell types within the TME is also clinically relevant. A vaccine that can adapt its mechanism of action based on the expression levels of IDO1 and PD-L1 could potentially improve patient outcomes. This level of precision in immunotherapy is at the forefront of personalized medicine and could lead to more effective treatment protocols.
As a clinician, the translation of these findings into a successful Phase 3 trial would be monumental. It would not only validate the scientific approach but also provide a new therapeutic option for patients battling cancer. The anticipation of these results should be tempered with caution, as many promising treatments in preclinical stages do not always lead to successful clinical applications. Nonetheless, the potential impact on patient care is substantial and warrants close attention.
Non-Clinical Poster Data Support the Use of Dual Antigen Approach to Enhance Anti-Tumor Activity
NEW YORK, April 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IO Biotech (Nasdaq: IOBT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, immune-modulating therapeutic cancer vaccines based on its T-win® platform, today shared new data related to the company’s lead therapeutic cancer vaccine candidate, IO102-IO103, at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2024, taking place April 5-10, 2024, in San Diego, California.
“These data build on earlier studies that demonstrated the mechanism of IO102 and IO103,” said Mai-Britt Zocca, Ph.D., President and CEO of IO Biotech. “We now clearly see that used together, IO102-IO103 create an environment in and around the tumor that allow for enhanced anti-tumor activity, at a much greater level than either could do on its own. With this additional data, we further understand the mechanistic rationale for the clinical effect observed in the Phase 1/2 study of IO102-IO103 that we hope to confirm in our ongoing Phase 3 pivotal study.”
The data presented in the AACR poster are from two different animal tumor models and show that vaccines targeting IDO1 and PD-L1 expressing cells can cooperatively reduce tumor growth with each contributing to the anti-tumor effect through distinct molecular pathways. Where high levels of IDO1 and PD-L1 expression were seen in the tumor microenvironment (TME), the IDO1 vaccine predominantly reduced myeloid-derived immune suppression, while the PD-L1 vaccine enhanced anti-tumor T-effector functions. In contrast, where IDO1 and PD-L1 expression was lower, the IDO1 vaccine resulted in a clear increase in T cell infiltration and activation and the PD-L1 vaccine impacted the myeloid cell compartment. While further studies are needed to fully discern the relationship between IDO1+/PD-L1+ target populations within the TME and the impact of IDO1/PD-L1 targeted vaccination, our data support the use of a dual antigen approach to reduce the immunosuppression and enhance anti-tumor effect.
The poster can be found on the “Posters & Publications” page of the IO Biotech website and on the AACR website. Details for the presentation are below:
Title: Immune modulatory cancer vaccines against IDO1 and PD-L1 trigger distinct pathways and cooperatively reduce tumor growth in preclinical models
Abstract Number: 4094
Time: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM PT
Presenter: Marion Chapellier, Ph.D., Senior Scientist R&D and translational research
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) and/or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) 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, and Merck 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 the IOB-013/KN-D18 Pivotal Phase 3 Clinical Trial
IOB-013/KN-D18 (Clinical Trials.gov: NCT05155254) is an open label, randomized Phase 3 clinical trial of IO102-IO103 in combination with pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab alone in patients with previously untreated, unresectable or metastatic (advanced) melanoma, being conducted in collaboration with Merck. Patients have been enrolled from centers across the United States, Europe, Australia, Turkey, Israel and South Africa. The primary endpoint of the study is progression free survival. Biomarker analyses will also be conducted. IO Biotech is sponsoring the Phase 3 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 of the interim and primary analyses of the company’s Phase 3 trial, 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:
Maryann Cimino, Director of Investor Relations
IO Biotech, Inc.
617-710-7305
mci@iobiotech.com
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