NetScientific PLC (AIM:NSCI) said that portfolio company PDS Biotechnology Corporation (NASDAQ:PDSB)’s treatment for advanced human papillomavirus (HPV) associated head and neck cancer achieved its preliminary objective in early results from a phase 2 trial.
Objective response is achieved by radiographic tumour reduction of 30% or more and was confirmed by two separate measurements among at least four of the first 17 patients.
The VERSATILE-002 Phase 2 study, which trialled PDS0101, PDS' lead candidate in combination with Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA, will now progress to the full enrolment of 54 patients in this group of checkpoint inhibitor naïve patients.
VERSATILE-002 is being studied in two groups of HPV16 positive patients whose cancer has either returned or spread.
The first group have not been previously treated with a checkpoint inhibitor, while an initial assessment of the two drugs on the second group of 21 patients who failed prior therapy is ongoing.
Dr Ilian Iliev, chief executive of NetScientific said. "The move to full patient recruitment in this Phase 2 trial is a very meaningful step in PDS' Phase 2 trial.
“We look forward to the company's continued progress on its multiple clinical programmes."
Shares in NetScientific were up 3.59% at 83p in afternoon trading.