Shares in Scancell Holdings PLC (AIM:SCLP, OTC:SCNLF) rose 4% after it told investors that its Modi-1 Moditope vaccine has achieved early clinical validation in HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCCHN) patients.
The vaccine reached Simon stage 1 in the Phase 2a ModiFY study, suggesting significant benefits when combined with checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab, the company said in a statement.
The study reported a 43% objective response rate (ORR) in seven evaluable patients. This is a marked improvement over historical ORRs of 19% for pembrolizumab and 13% for nivolumab.
Scancell noted that the study will continue to enrol patients into Simon stage 2, targeting a total of 21 participants for further validation.
"The promising early Simon stage 1 (non-futility) read-out from the (HPV negative) SCCHN cohort of the ModiFY Phase 2 clinical study sets the stage for Simon stage 2 and the further development of Modi-1 Moditope in a cancer indication with poor outcomes following standard of care,” Scancell chief medical officer Dr Nermeen Varawalla said.
Christian Ottensmeier, the chief investigator and professor of immune-oncology at the Head and Neck Institute, University of Liverpool, added: “This positive preliminary clinical read-out validates the scientific rationale for Moditope vaccines as a therapy with real potential to improve outcomes achievable with checkpoint inhibitors alone.
“Given its good safety profile and ease of use, I remain keen to continue using this vaccine as well as explore the application of Modi-1 in the neoadjuvant setting."
In morning trading, the stock was changing hands for 10.26p, up 0.41p, valuing the business at £106 million.