4D pharma Announces Updated Results from the Renal Cell Carcinoma Cohort of the Phase I/II Study of the Combination of MRx0518 and KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)
– Further to prior announcement of having met the primary efficacy endpoint, an additional patient is confirmed as having a response
– Strengthens strategic focus on developing MRx0518 in IO combinations in RCC
Leeds, UK, February 2, 2023 – 4D pharma plc (AIM: DDDD, NASDAQ: LBPS) , a pharmaceutical company leading the development of Live Biotherapeutic products (LBPs), a novel class of drug derived from the microbiome, today announces updated clinical data from Part B of its signal finding study of MRx0518 in combination with MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in patients with solid tumors that have progressed on a prior immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI).
The primary efficacy endpoint for Part B of the study is more than three out of 30 patients per tumor group achieving clinical benefit, defined as complete response, partial response, or stable disease for at least six months . In March 2022, it was announced that 4 patients in the RCC cohort had experienced durable stable disease.
At the time 4D pharma plc was placed into administration it was agreed that patient recruitment into the study would be placed on temporary pause but patients who had already started treatment would be allowed to continue. There were 2 Part B RCC patients on treatment at the time of administration.
Today, 4D pharma is pleased to announce that one of these patients is experiencing a partial response. Part B of the study has to date enrolled 22 patients with RCC, of which 5 out of 20 evaluable patients have achieved clinical benefit. To date, Part B of the study has enrolled 51 patients of up to a total of 120 patients with RCC, non-small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. MRx0518 continues to be safe and well tolerated and 5 patients are continuing on treatment.
The study is being conducted in heavily pre-treated metastatic patients with solid tumors who have previously experienced clinical benefit on prior ICI therapy and subsequently developed progressive disease. The study is being conducted in collaboration with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA).
“Despite recent setbacks in the microbiome field experienced by other companies and the limitations on patient recruitment as a result of the administration, we are delighted that patients continue to benefit from the trial treatment. We continue to build on the body of evidence for the future development of MRx0518 and 4D’s approach to Live Biotherapeutics” commented Dr. Alex Stevenson, Chief Scientific Officer, 4D pharma. “Together with the clinical, safety and biomarker data we have generated in the wider MRx018 programme, it is clear that there is an opportunity to take MRx0518 into earlier lines of treatment to improve outcomes with immunotherapy. While the safety and tolerability of MRx0518 lends itself to multiple combinations and indications, the data we have generated in RCC suggests that this provides our most viable route to market.”
4D pharma is in discussion regarding next steps for this study and future pivotal studies with partners and Key Opinion Leaders.
KEYTRUDA® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.
On 24 June 2022, David Pike and James Clark of Interpath Advisory were appointed as administrators of 4D Pharma plc. The administrators make no statement or representation in respect of the announcement.
About 4D pharma
4D pharma is a world leader in the development of Live Biotherapeutics, a novel and emerging class of drugs, defined by the FDA as biological products that contain a live organism, such as a bacterium, that is applicable to the prevention, treatment or cure of a disease. 4D pharma has developed a proprietary platform, MicroRx®, that rationally identifies Live Biotherapeutics based on a deep understanding of function and mechanism.
4D pharma’s Live Biotherapeutic products (LBPs) are orally delivered single strains of bacteria that are naturally found in the healthy human gut. The Company has five clinical programs, namely a Phase I/II study of MRx0518 in combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in solid tumors, a Phase I study of MRx0518 in a neoadjuvant setting for patients with solid tumors, a Phase I study of MRx0518 in patients with pancreatic cancer, a Phase I/II study of MRx-4DP0004 in asthma, and Blautix® in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which has completed a successful Phase II trial. A Phase I study of MRx0005 and MRx0029 in patients with Parkinson’s disease is expected to commence in 2022. Additional preclinical-stage programs include candidates for CNS disease, immune-inflammatory conditions and cancer. The Company has a research collaboration with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA), to discover and develop Live Biotherapeutics for vaccines.
For more information, refer to https://www.4dpharmaplc.com.
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