Portage Biotech Reports Promising Preclinical Results in Mesothelioma Supporting First-In-Human Trial of PORT-7
Portage Biotech (NASDAQ: PRTG) has presented promising preclinical data for PORT-7, their selective Adenosine A2B receptor inhibitor, at the 2025 European Lung Cancer Congress. The study showed significant results in a murine mesothelioma model, demonstrating:
- Single agent activity for PORT-7
- Over 90% tumor growth inhibition when combined with anti-PD1 antibody
- Significant infiltration of CD3 and CD45 positive immune effector cells in tumors
The company is preparing to initiate a first-in-human clinical trial with PORT-7. Additionally, Portage is advancing the dose escalation of PORT-6, their A2A adenosine receptor inhibitor, with plans to co-administer both drugs in the ongoing ADPORT-601 trial. This combination aims to achieve complete blockade of adenosine-induced immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment.
Portage Biotech (NASDAQ: PRTG) ha presentato dati preclinici promettenti per PORT-7, il loro inibitore selettivo del recettore Adenosina A2B, al Congresso Europeo sul Cancro del Polmone 2025. Lo studio ha mostrato risultati significativi in un modello murino di mesotelioma, dimostrando:
- Attività come agente singolo per PORT-7
- Oltre il 90% di inibizione della crescita tumorale quando combinato con anticorpi anti-PD1
- Significativa infiltrazione di cellule effettrici immunitarie positive per CD3 e CD45 nei tumori
L'azienda si sta preparando per avviare un primo studio clinico sull'uomo con PORT-7. Inoltre, Portage sta avanzando l'escensione della dose di PORT-6, il loro inibitore del recettore A2A dell'adenosina, con piani per co-somministrare entrambi i farmaci nello studio ADPORT-601 in corso. Questa combinazione mira a ottenere un blocco completo dell'immunosoppressione indotta dall'adenosina nel microambiente tumorale.
Portage Biotech (NASDAQ: PRTG) ha presentado datos preclínicos prometedores para PORT-7, su inhibidor selectivo del receptor de Adenosina A2B, en el Congreso Europeo de Cáncer de Pulmón 2025. El estudio mostró resultados significativos en un modelo murino de mesotelioma, demostrando:
- Actividad como agente único para PORT-7
- Más del 90% de inhibición del crecimiento tumoral cuando se combina con anticuerpos anti-PD1
- Infiltración significativa de células efectoras inmunitarias positivas para CD3 y CD45 en los tumores
La empresa se está preparando para iniciar un ensayo clínico de primera en humanos con PORT-7. Además, Portage está avanzando en la escalación de dosis de PORT-6, su inhibidor del receptor A2A de adenosina, con planes de co-administrar ambos fármacos en el ensayo ADPORT-601 en curso. Esta combinación tiene como objetivo lograr un bloqueo completo de la inmunosupresión inducida por adenosina en el microambiente tumoral.
포타지 바이오텍 (NASDAQ: PRTG)는 2025 유럽 폐암 학회에서 그들의 선택적 아데노신 A2B 수용체 억제제인 PORT-7에 대한 유망한 전임상 데이터를 발표했습니다. 이 연구는 생쥐 중피종 모델에서 중요한 결과를 보여주었으며, 다음과 같은 내용을 포함합니다:
- PORT-7의 단일 약제 활성
- 항-PD1 항체와 결합 시 90% 이상의 종양 성장 억제
- 종양 내 CD3 및 CD45 양성 면역 효과 세포의 상당한 침윤
회사는 PORT-7에 대한 첫 번째 인체 임상 시험을 시작할 준비를 하고 있습니다. 또한, 포타지는 A2A 아데노신 수용체 억제제인 PORT-6의 용량 증가를 진행하고 있으며, 진행 중인 ADPORT-601 시험에서 두 약물을 함께 투여할 계획입니다. 이 조합은 종양 미세환경에서 아데노신 유도 면역 억제를 완전히 차단하는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다.
Portage Biotech (NASDAQ: PRTG) a présenté des données précliniques prometteuses pour PORT-7, leur inhibiteur sélectif du récepteur d'adénosine A2B, lors du Congrès Européen sur le Cancer du Poumon 2025. L'étude a montré des résultats significatifs dans un modèle murin de mésothéliome, démontrant :
- Activité en tant qu'agent unique pour PORT-7
- Plus de 90 % d'inhibition de la croissance tumorale lorsqu'il est combiné avec un anticorps anti-PD1
- Infiltration significative de cellules effectrices immunitaires positives pour CD3 et CD45 dans les tumeurs
L'entreprise se prépare à initier un premier essai clinique chez l'homme avec PORT-7. De plus, Portage fait progresser l'escalade de dose de PORT-6, leur inhibiteur du récepteur A2A de l'adénosine, avec des projets de co-administration des deux médicaments dans l'essai en cours ADPORT-601. Cette combinaison vise à obtenir un blocage complet de l'immunosuppression induite par l'adénosine dans le microenvironnement tumoral.
Portage Biotech (NASDAQ: PRTG) hat vielversprechende präklinische Daten für PORT-7, ihren selektiven Adenosin A2B Rezeptor-Inhibitor, auf dem 2025 Europäischen Lungenkrebs-Kongress vorgestellt. Die Studie zeigte signifikante Ergebnisse in einem murinen Mesotheliom-Modell und demonstrierte:
- Einzelwirkungsaktivität von PORT-7
- Über 90% Tumorwachstumshemmung in Kombination mit einem Anti-PD1-Antikörper
- Signifikante Infiltration von CD3- und CD45-positiven Immun-Effektorzellen in Tumoren
Das Unternehmen bereitet sich darauf vor, eine erste klinische Studie am Menschen mit PORT-7 zu initiieren. Darüber hinaus treibt Portage die Dosissteigerung von PORT-6, ihrem A2A-Adenosinrezeptor-Inhibitor, voran und plant, beide Medikamente im laufenden ADPORT-601-Studie gemeinsam zu verabreichen. Diese Kombination zielt darauf ab, die adenosininduzierte Immunsuppression im Tumormikroenvironment vollständig zu blockieren.
- First demonstration of antitumor activity against mesothelioma using selective A2B receptor inhibitor
- Strong preclinical efficacy with >90% tumor growth inhibition in combination therapy
- Advancement to first-in-human trials for PORT-7
- Novel dual-drug approach targeting both A2A and A2B receptors
- Still in preclinical stage, requiring extensive clinical trials before potential commercialization
- Results to animal models, human efficacy yet to be demonstrated
Insights
The preclinical data for PORT-7 demonstrates promising efficacy in mesothelioma models that could translate to meaningful clinical outcomes. The
Adenosine pathway targeting represents a scientifically sound approach. In the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, adenosine accumulates and binds to different receptors (primarily A2A and A2B) on immune cells, effectively shutting down anti-tumor responses. By specifically blocking the A2B receptor with PORT-7, Portage is targeting a pathway particularly relevant in hypoxic tumor conditions like those seen in mesothelioma.
The planned dual-blockade strategy combining PORT-6 (A2A antagonist) with PORT-7 (A2B antagonist) makes mechanistic sense. While other companies have pursued adenosine pathway inhibition, most have focused on either single receptors or less selective compounds. This would be the first clinical attempt at comprehensive adenosine signaling blockade using two highly selective agents.
For mesothelioma patients, who have very treatment options despite recent immunotherapy advances, this approach could provide much-needed new options. However, as with all preclinical findings, these results must be confirmed in human trials, where complex tumor biology and heterogeneity present significant challenges.
These preclinical results represent a meaningful pipeline advancement for Portage Biotech. The data establishes proof-of-concept for PORT-7 and supports the progression to first-in-human trials, an important value-creating milestone for early-stage biotech companies.
The mesothelioma indication is strategically significant despite its relatively small market. As a rare, aggressive cancer with treatment options, mesothelioma development pathways can offer regulatory advantages including potential orphan drug designation, faster approval timelines, and pricing premiums if successful.
Portage's adenosine receptor antagonist platform is gaining validation through this data. The adenosine pathway has attracted significant interest from larger pharmaceutical companies as a complementary approach to existing immunotherapies, particularly in difficult-to-treat tumors with immunosuppressive microenvironments. The planned combination of PORT-6 and PORT-7 could create a differentiated position in this competitive landscape.
For a company with
The company's focus on selective adenosine receptor antagonists aligns with the industry trend toward precision immunomodulation rather than broad immunological approaches, potentially improving efficacy while reducing off-target effects.
Encouraging efficacy data in a murine mesothelioma model with a selective A2B adenosine receptor antagonist given as a single agent or in combination with anti-PD-1 antibody
DOVER, Del., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portage Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: PRTG), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company with a portfolio of innovative therapeutics, presented new preclinical data for PORT-7 (TT-4), a selective Adenosine A2B receptor inhibitor, generated by Dr. Luciano Mutti, Gruppo Italiano Mesotelioma e Oncologia Ambientale, at the 2025 European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC), held in Paris, France March 26-29. The new data demonstrate both single agent activity for PORT-7, and a dramatic >
Combining PORT-6 and PORT-7 for a More Comprehensive Immunotherapy Approach
In parallel, Portage is advancing the dose escalation of PORT-6, a potent and selective inhibitor of the A2A adenosine receptor. Portage’s plan is to ultimately co-administer PORT-6 with PORT-7 in the ongoing ADPORT-601 trial. This will mark the first time two highly selective A2A and A2B antagonists are combined in patients, with the aim of achieving a complete blockade of adenosine-induced immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. This innovative approach is designed to fully neutralize adenosine-mediated immune suppression, enhance anti-tumor responses, and broaden the impact of immunotherapy in solid tumors.
About Portage Biotech
Portage Biotech is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company advancing a pipeline of novel biologics to transform the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. For more information, visit www.portagebiotech.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
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For More Information:
Portage Biotech
Alexander Pickett, Chief Executive Officer
ir@portagebiotech.com
FAQ
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