Scancell Holdings PLC (AIM:SCLP, OTC:SCNLF) has reported impressive interim data from its SCOPE cancer vaccine trial, prompting Panmure Liberum to upgrade its price target to 32p from 24p.
The biotech company, which specialises in therapeutic cancer vaccines, reported significantly improved response rates from the SCOPE trial involving 47 patients across three cohorts, substantially outperforming current standard treatments.
Scancell's cancer vaccine showed an objective response rate (ORR), a key measure of tumour reduction, of 68.6%, compared to the current standard of care at 48% in real-world settings.
Its third cohort, using its advanced iSCIB1+ vaccine alongside established immunotherapy drugs nivolumab and ipilimumab, achieved notably robust outcomes.
This success has prompted the company to select iSCIB1+ for further development, with plans for a global registrational phase IIb/III study already accelerating.
The SCOPE trial data also revealed strong progression-free survival (PFS) outcomes, a crucial measure indicating how long patients survive without their disease worsening, of up to 22 months.
This far exceeds the standard of care's 7.9 months. The disease control rate (DCR), measuring the percentage of patients whose cancer did not progress, reached an impressive 88% compared to the standard 58%.
"The data announced today is sufficiently strong for Scancell to confirm it is taking iSCIB1+ into registrational development," said Panmure analyst Julie Simmonds.
Moreover, Scancell's vaccine is unique in being the only off-the-shelf DNA-based vaccine nearing late-stage development for melanoma.
This potentially offers faster, more cost-effective treatment than personalised alternatives under investigation by industry peers.
Panmure highlighted the growing interest in cancer vaccines, noting they are "coming of age", with increased validation in recent trials boosting investor confidence.
The brokerage firm sees the SCOPE trial's positive outcomes as a potential trigger for a rerating of Scancell shares in the near term.
Upcoming data from Scancell's other programme, Modi-1, expected later this year, will be closely watched as a further indicator of the company's potential.
Shares in Scancell rose 1% to 10.45p following the announcement.