Purple Biotech Reports Additional Positive Interim Results from its Randomized Phase 2 Pancreatic Cancer Study with CM24 Regarding a Potential Predictive Biomarker for Overall Survival Benefit
Purple Biotech announced positive interim results from its Phase 2 pancreatic cancer study with CM24, nivolumab, and standard chemotherapy. The data, presented at the 2024 ASCO meeting, showed a 26% reduction in death risk and a 28% reduction in progression or death risk in the CM24 combination arm versus standard chemotherapy alone. Median overall survival (OS) was extended by 2.1 months, and median progression-free survival (PFS) was extended by 1.9 months. Additionally, the study found higher objective response rates (25% vs 7%) and disease control rates (63% vs 40%) in the combination arm. Baseline serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels may predict survival improvement. Further results are expected in the second half of 2024, with a KOL event scheduled for July 11, 2024.
- Interim results show a 26% reduction in the risk of death (HR=0.74) and a 28% risk reduction in progression or death (HR=0.72) for the CM24+nivolumab+Nal-IRI/5FU/LV arm.
- Median overall survival (OS) increased by 2.1 months and median progression-free survival (PFS) extended by 1.9 months in the combination therapy arm.
- Higher objective response rate (25% vs 7%) and disease control rate (63% vs 40%) observed in the CM24 combination arm.
- Serum MPO levels may act as a predictive biomarker for overall survival benefit in the CM24 combination arm.
- None.
The Phase 2 study results for CM24 in treating metastatic pancreatic cancer are indeed promising. From a clinical perspective, the combination of CM24, nivolumab and the standard chemotherapy regimen has yielded significant improvements in key clinical endpoints. Notably, the reduction in the risk of death by 26% and improvement in overall survival by 2.1 months are encouraging signs. The addition of a potential predictive biomarker, serum myeloperoxidase (MPO), could offer a targeted approach to identifying patients who may benefit the most from this treatment regime. This suggests a more personalized treatment pathway, potentially increasing overall treatment efficacy.
It is important to remember that while these interim results are significant, the sample size and the fact that the full study data are pending mean these findings need to be interpreted cautiously. Yet, reducing cancer progression and improving overall patient survival rates can significantly impact the treatment landscape for pancreatic cancer, which traditionally has poor prognosis and limited treatment options.
From a financial viewpoint, the interim results could be transformative for Purple Biotech. Positive clinical trial outcomes tend to boost investor confidence and can lead to a rise in stock prices. The reported improvements in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) are key metrics that investors closely watch in the biotech sector. The data indicating a reduction in the risk of death and cancer progression compared to standard care could significantly enhance the market potential for CM24 if these results are confirmed in later phases.
However, investors should be aware of the risks involved. The clinical development process is lengthy and costly. Further data expected in the second half of 2024 will be crucial. Additionally, the financial health and burn rate of Purple Biotech should be scrutinized as extensive trials and potential delays could impact the company’s financial stability. Long-term investors should weigh these factors against the potential market advantages.
The identification of serum MPO as a potential biomarker is particularly intriguing. Biomarkers can play a pivotal role in oncology by helping to tailor treatments to those most likely to benefit, thereby improving outcomes and potentially reducing costs. The data showing an association between lower MPO levels and improved survival outcomes in patients treated with CM24+nivolumab is a valuable insight. Such predictive biomarkers can streamline patient selection and enhance the overall effectiveness of the treatment regimen.
It is also worth noting the mechanism of action of CM24, which targets CEACAM1 and its role in tumor immune evasion. This is a critical area of cancer immunotherapy and the dual-targeting approach could set a new precedent in treatment protocols. However, more extensive trials and peer-reviewed publications will be needed to establish these findings firmly in clinical practice.
- New data suggests that baseline serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels below the threshold may predict overall survival (OS) improvement when comparing the CM24+nivolumab+Nal-IRI/5FU/LV vs. Nal-IRI/5FU/LV arms
- Data reported at the 2024 ASCO annual meeting demonstrated reduced risk of death and cancer progression, prolongation of OS and progression free survival (PFS) as well as higher objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) and decreasing CA19-9 levels in the CM24+Nivolumab+Nal-IRI/5FU/LV arm
- Further data and top line results are expected in the second half of 2024
- Company to host virtual key opinion leader (KOL) event to discuss results on July 11, 2024
REHOVOT, Israel, June 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Purple Biotech Ltd. (“Purple Biotech” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ/TASE: PPBT), a clinical-stage company developing first-in-class oncology therapies that overcome tumor immune evasion and drug resistance, today reported additional positive interim data from its randomized, controlled, open label, multicenter Phase 2 study (NCT 04731467) of CM24, in combination with Bristol Myers Squibb’s immune checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab and standard of care (SoC) chemotherapy, in second-line metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). These results suggest that serum MPO may be a predictive biomarker for survival in the CM24+Nivolumab + Nal-IRI/5FU/LV arm. The company also announced that it will host a virtual KOL event on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 10:30 AM ET to discuss the results in detail. To register for the event, click here.
Interim results that were presented on June 1, 2024 during a late-breaking abstract poster presentation at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting demonstrated a
“The concordant and consistent improvement in primary and all secondary endpoints including OS, PFS, ORR, DCR and CA19-9 are compelling, and the addition of a potential predictive biomarker provides further support for the potential of CM24 in combination with nivolumab plus the SoC chemotherapy regimen Nal-IRI/5FU/LV to improve clinical outcomes for those with advanced metastatic PDAC.” stated Gil Efron, Chief Executive Officer of Purple Biotech. “We plan to report further clinical study data in the second half of 2024.”
New Interim Exploratory Biomarker Data:
This interim biomarker analysis comparing the experimental and control arms suggests measured baseline serum MPO as a potential clinical outcome biomarker for CM24-nivolumab therapy.
- Enhanced MPO levels were measured in >
90% of the patients with mean MPO over 6-fold higher than healthy donors. The mean MPO is used as a threshold for evaluating MPO as a potential biomarker. - The effect of the CM24-nivolumab therapy in combination with Nal-IRI/5FU/LV is most pronounced among patients with serum MPO levels below the mean MPO and is associated with OS improvement of 3.6 months in median OS of 8.1 months vs. 4.5 months (HR 0.34 (
95% CI: 0.099-1.149)).
While in a small sample size, these findings suggest that serum MPO may be a predictive biomarker for the treatment effect of CM24+Nivo+ Nal-IRI/5FU/LV on OS.
Presentation of the biomarker data is planned at an upcoming medical conference.
The experimental arms of the randomized Phase 2 study administered patients with CM24 plus nivolumab and a choice of one of two SoC chemotherapies used in second-line PDAC, and dependent on prior first line therapy regimen; either gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel or liposomal irinotecan (Nal-IRI)/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) (Nal-IRI/5FU/LV), while the control arms administered either respective SoC chemotherapy alone. Interim results are provided for the Nal-IRI/5FU/LV sub study. An analysis of the gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel sub study will be performed later when the data sufficiently matured.
CM24 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks CEACAM1, an immune checkpoint protein responsible for tumor immune evasion and poor tumor response and/or resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) which are involved in immune evasion and metastasis known to affect disease progression and patient survival. CM24, a CEACAM1 antibody, was reported1 to also bind to NET structures and significantly suppresses the NET-induced migration of various cancer cells, as an additional Mechanism of Action. In an earlier part of this study, CM24+nivolumab treatment significantly reduced the level of the NET marker, as represented by measurable MPO in patient serum.
The poster presentation at ASCO 2024 may be viewed on Purple Biotech’s website HERE and the abstract may be accessed on ASCO’s website HERE.
1. Poster presentation at AACR Special Conference: Pancreatic cancer 2023: Phase 1 Study of CM24 in Combination with Nivolumab in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer - Survival, Exploratory Biomarkers and Effect on Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs)
About Purple Biotech
Purple Biotech Ltd. (NASDAQ/TASE: PPBT) is a clinical-stage company developing first-in-class therapies that seek to overcome tumor immune evasion and drug resistance. The Company’s oncology pipeline includes NT219, CM24 and IM1240. NT219 is a dual inhibitor, novel small molecule that simultaneously targets IRS1/2 and STAT3. A Phase 1 dose escalation study is being concluded and a Phase 2 study of NT219 at its recommended Phase 2 level in combination with cetuximab in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck cancer (SCCHN) is planned. CM24 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks CEACAM1, an immune checkpoint protein that supports tumor immune evasion and survival through multiple pathways. The Company is advancing CM24 as a combination therapy with anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors in a Phase 2 study for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The Company has entered into a clinical collaboration agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb for the Phase 2 clinical trials to evaluate the combination of CM24 with the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab in addition to chemotherapy. The Company is also advancing a preclinical platform of conditionally-activated tri-specific antibodies that engage both T cells and NK cells to induce a strong, localized immune response within the tumor microenvironment. The cleavable capping technology confines the compound’s therapeutic activity to the local tumor microenvironment, and thereby potentially increases the anticipated therapeutic window in patients. The third arm of the antibody specifically targets the Tumor Associated Antigen (TAA). The technology presents a novel mechanism of action by unleashing both innate and adaptive immune systems to induce an optimal anti-tumor immune response. IM1240 is the platform’s lead tribody in development that targets 5T4 expressed in a variety of solid tumors and is correlated with advanced disease, increased invasiveness and poor clinical outcomes. The Company’s corporate headquarters are located in Rehovot, Israel. For more information, please visit https://purple-biotech.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements and Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press release that are forward-looking and not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that are not statements of historical fact, and may be identified by words such as “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “may”, “should”, “could”, “might”, “seek”, “target”, “will”, “project”, “forecast”, “continue” or “anticipate” or their negatives or variations of these words or other comparable words or by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical matters. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views, expectations, beliefs or intentions with respect to future events, and are subject to a number of assumptions, involve known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, as well as uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be significantly different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others, risks relating to: the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; product development for NT219, CM24 and IM1240; the process by which such early stage therapeutic candidates could potentially lead to an approved drug product is long and subject to highly significant risks, particularly with respect to a joint development collaboration; the fact that drug development and commercialization involves a lengthy and expensive process with uncertain outcomes; final results from clinical studies, including our NT219 and CM24 studies, may vary from the interim analysis, our ability to successfully develop and commercialize our pharmaceutical products; the expense, length, progress and results of any clinical trials; the impact of any changes in regulation and legislation that could affect the pharmaceutical industry; the difficulty in receiving the regulatory approvals necessary in order to commercialize our products; the difficulty of predicting actions of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any other applicable regulator of pharmaceutical products; the regulatory environment and changes in the health policies and regimes in the countries in which we operate; the uncertainty surrounding the actual market reception to our pharmaceutical products once cleared for marketing in a particular market; the introduction of competing products; patents obtained by competitors; dependence on the effectiveness of our patents and other protections for innovative products; our ability to obtain, maintain and defend issued patents; the commencement of any patent interference or infringement action against our patents, and our ability to prevail, obtain a favorable decision or recover damages in any such action; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions; the impact of the economic, public health, political and security situation in Israel, the U.S. and other countries in which we may operate or obtain approvals for our products or our business, and other factors that are discussed in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our cautionary discussion of risks and uncertainties under “Risk Factors” in our Registration Statements and Annual Reports. These are factors that we believe could cause our actual results to differ materially from expected results. Other factors besides those we have listed could also adversely affect us. Any forward-looking statement in this press release speaks only as of the date which it is made. We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement or other information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. You are advised, however, to consult any additional disclosures we make in our reports to the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website, https://www.sec.gov.
CONTACTS:
Company Contact:
Lior Fhima
Chief Financial Officer
IR@purple-biotech.com
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