Scancell Holdings PLC (AIM:SCLP, OTC:SCNLF) said a further two people from a group of hard-to-treat melanoma patients in its SCOPE study have responded to its drug regimen, taking the number to 11 out of 13, or an objective response rate (ORR) of 85%.
In that total, one person has had a complete response. The plan now is to recruit a further 18 people to the next phase of the study, which would statistically demonstrate that SCIB1, in combination with doublet therapy, exceeds currently achievable ORRs.
Based on the first group, there is a greater than 90% probability that this second phase will also be successful, Scancell said. Data from this cohort is expected in the first half of next year.
The next step after that is a randomised phase II/III adapted registration programme targeting patients with unresectable melanoma, a market potentially worth US$1.5 billion per annum.
Scancell said the phase II part of this adapted trial is anticipated to take 18 months and is expected to generate significant interest from potential partners.
Professor Lindy Durrant, chief executive of Scancell, said: "The SCOPE study continues to yield excellent results with two more responders and one of the previous patients now achieving a complete response."