Scancell Holdings PLC (AIM:SCLP, OTC:SCNLF) CEO Phillip L’Huillier talked with Proactive about the company’s latest interim results and its progress in 2025. He highlighted five key updates, including the latest data from the SCOPE study, which investigates the company’s cancer vaccine for melanoma. The interim results showed an 80% disease control rate and a 72% overall response rate, significantly outperforming current standard-of-care treatments.
L’Huillier also discussed the strong recruitment progress in the SCOPE and ModiFY studies, as well as an additional licensing deal with Genmab, reinforcing industry validation of Scancell’s antibody portfolio. The company recently raised £11.3 million, securing funding to advance its clinical programs through 2025 and into the second half of 2026.
He noted organizational changes, including his appointment as CEO and the hiring of Dr. Nermeen Varawalla as Chief Medical Officer, allowing Professor Lindy Durrant to refocus on scientific leadership as CSO.
Looking ahead, Scancell expects multiple clinical data readouts in 2025, including full results from the SCIB1 arm of the SCOPE study by mid-year, as well as new data from the next-generation iSCIB1+ vaccine. Updates from the ModiFY study, including further efficacy results from the Modi-1 vaccine in head and neck cancer, are also anticipated in the second half of the year.
L’Huillier expressed confidence in Scancell’s future, emphasizing its strong clinical pipeline, robust team, and committed investor base. “We have the team and the resources to execute the plan, and we will do that.”
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Proactive: I'm joined by Scancell Holdings PLC CEO Phillip L’Huillier. Philip, very good to speak with you today. Can you take me through the highlights of Scancell’s interim results?
Phillip L'Huillier: I would mention five key highlights from the last half year.
First, the data from the SCOPE study, which we disclosed at the end of last year. This data is very compelling and shows significant benefits for patients. The study is being conducted in third- and fourth-line stage melanoma, where we are testing our vaccine in combination with standard-of-care checkpoint inhibitors, ipilimumab and nivolumab. The interim data at 25 weeks for 25 patients showed an 80% disease control rate, meaning eight out of ten patients experienced benefits from the therapy. Additionally, 72% of patients saw a significant reduction in their tumors, which is much higher than the 48% seen with standard-of-care treatments. Progression-free survival was also 80%, highlighting the long-term benefits of our approach.
Second, recruitment rates in our studies, both SCOPE and ModiFY, are progressing very well. This means we expect multiple clinical readouts in 2025.
Third, we secured an additional licensing deal with Genmab from our antibody portfolio, which further validates the strength of our technology.
Fourth, we completed a £11.3 million fundraising round at the end of 2024, ensuring we have sufficient capital to advance our lead programs through 2025 and into the second half of 2026.
Finally, we made key organizational changes, including my appointment as CEO in November and the hiring of Dr. Nermeen Varawalla as Chief Medical Officer, who brings deep expertise in late-stage clinical development. These changes allow Professor Lindy Durrant to return to her role as Chief Scientific Officer, where she is focusing on the company’s scientific advancements.
Proactive: Phil, you mentioned the recent fundraising. What’s the company’s current cash runway?
Phillip L'Huillier: With our current plan, we have cash to execute our strategy through to the second half of 2026.
Proactive: What are some key milestones Scancell is hoping to achieve in 2025?
Phillip L'Huillier: There are several important milestones ahead.
For the SCOPE study, we expect to have full data for the 43-patient SCIB1 arm by mid-year. That arm is now fully recruited, and we look forward to sharing the results. Additionally, data for our next-generation iSCIB1+ vaccine will be released throughout the year.
For the ModiFY study, we recently announced that our Modi-1 vaccine showed efficacy in the head and neck cancer arm, which has now advanced to the next phase. We will also have data readouts from the renal cancer arm of the study in the second half of the year.
Proactive: What are the key benefits of Scancell’s non-personalized vaccines?
Phillip L'Huillier: There are three main benefits.
First, manufacturing – our vaccines are off-the-shelf, meaning they are straightforward and relatively low-cost to produce, while also being readily available to patients.
Second, clinical benefits – we are seeing strong efficacy results in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, and importantly, our vaccine does not add any significant safety concerns. It has a benign safety profile, making it suitable for combination therapies.
Third, mechanism of action – SCIB1 has a dual mechanism of action, meaning it enhances immune response effectiveness while also providing longer-term immune control over tumours.
Proactive: Finally, Phil, you were recently appointed CEO of Scancell. What excites you most about the company's potential?
Phillip L'Huillier: I’m delighted to have joined Scancell in November, and I feel like I’ve hit the ground running.
What excites me most is the combination of compelling products with excellent emerging data, a highly skilled team with deep expertise in immunology and translational medicine, and strong support from investors and the board.
We have the team and resources to execute our plan, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do in 2025.
Proactive: I look forward to more conversations with you as the year progresses. Thank you very much for your time today, Phil.