Scancell Holdings PLC (AIM:SCLP, OTC:SCNLF) said 16 patients have now been recruited to its COVIDITY COVID-19 phase I vaccine trial in South Africa.
Safety and immunogenicity data are expected during the first half of this year, investors were told.
The update was given alongside the company’s results for the six months to October 31.
Post the period-end, the first patient had been dosed with its SCIB1 treatment at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford, as part of its phase II clinical trial.
The drug is being used in combination with Merck’s checkpoint inhibitor Keytruda to treat metastatic melanoma.
Scancell said four clinical centres in the UK are now operational and actively screening patients, with additional trial sites planned.
The financials showed the company posted an operating loss of £5.4mln loss as it invested heavily in research and development. Well-funded, the group’s cash balance was £35.57mln as at the period-end.