Phio Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Pathology Results in Third Cohort in INTASYL® PH-762 Skin Cancer Clinical Trial

On May 7, 2025 Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. (Nasdaq: PHIO) reported it is a clinical-stage siRNA biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics using its proprietary INTASYL gene silencing technology to eliminate cancer (Press release, Phio Pharmaceuticals, MAY 7, 2025, View Source [SID1234652645]). Phio reported that a complete pathologic response (100% tumor clearance) has been reported for 2 of 3 patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) treated in the third dose cohort. The third patient was reported as having a pathologic non-response (<50% tumor clearance).

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"These positive outcomes continue to indicate that PH-762 may present a viable non-surgical alternative in this large and continually expanding skin cancer market," said Robert Bitterman, President and CEO of Phio Pharmaceuticals.

Phio’s ongoing Phase 1b dose escalation clinical trial (NCT 06014086) is designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of neoadjuvant use of intratumoral PH-762 in Stages 1, 2 and 4 cSCC, Stage 4 melanoma, and Stage 4 Merkel cell carcinoma.

To date, a total of 10 patients with cutaneous carcinomas have been treated in Cohorts 1, 2 and 3. These cohorts included 9 patients with cSCC and 1 patient with metastatic melanoma. At day 36 (planned tumor excision), of the 9 patients with cSCC, 4 patients had a pathologic complete response (100% tumor clearance). One patient had a near complete response (>90% clearance) and 1 patient had a partial response (>50% clearance). The other 3 cSCC and one metastatic melanoma patient had a pathologic non-response (< 50% clearance). Patients with pathologic complete response (100% tumor clearance) may have visual signs of residual scar or subdermal inflammation prior to resection. No patients, however, exhibited clinical progression of disease.

To date, there were no dose-limiting toxicities or clinically relevant treatment-emergent adverse effects in the patients receiving intratumoral PH-762 in this trial. Moreover, PH-762 has been well tolerated in all enrolled patients in each escalating dose cohort. The fourth cohort is currently enrolling patients; Phio expects to complete enrollment in the trial in the third quarter of 2025.

"The continued positive pathologic responses in this clinical trial of intratumoral PH-762 for cutaneous carcinoma increases our understanding of the potential therapeutic benefit for this immunotherapy. The safety profile supports ongoing dose escalation," said Mary Spellman, MD, Phio’s acting Chief Medical Officer.

Pasithea Therapeutics Announces Closing of $5 Million Public Offering

On May 7, 2025 Pasithea Therapeutics, Corp. ("Pasithea," or the "Company") (Nasdaq: KTTA; KTTAW), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing PAS-004, a next-generation macrocyclic MEK inhibitor, for the treatment of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and other cancer indications, reported the closing of its previously announced public offering of 3,571,428 shares of its common stock (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) and accompanying Series C warrants to purchase up to 3,571,428 shares of common stock and Series D warrants to purchase up to 3,571,428 shares of common stock, at a combined offering price of $1.40 per share of common stock (or per pre-funded warrant in lieu thereof) and accompanying warrants (Press release, Pasithea Therapeutics, MAY 7, 2025, View Source [SID1234652644]).

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The Series C warrants have an exercise price of $1.40 per share, are exercisable upon issuance and will expire five years thereafter. The Series D warrants have an exercise price of $1.40 per share, are exercisable upon issuance and will expire 18 months thereafter. Simultaneously with the closing of the offering, certain investors exercised Series D warrants to purchase an aggregate of 914,286 shares of common stock, resulting in additional gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $1.3 million.

H.C. Wainwright & Co. acted as the exclusive placement agent for the offering.

Total gross proceeds to the Company from the offering were $5.0 million, before deducting the placement agent’s fees and other offering expenses payable by the Company. The aggregate gross proceeds from the offering and the exercise of the Series D warrants were approximately $6.3 million. The Company intends to use the total net proceeds received from the offering for general corporate purposes, which includes, without limitation, ongoing research and pre-clinical studies, clinical trials, the development of new biological and pharmaceutical technologies, investing in or acquiring companies that are synergistic with or complementary to the Company’s technologies, licensing activities related to its current and future product candidates, and to the development of emerging technologies, investing in or acquiring companies that are developing emerging technologies, licensing activities, or the acquisition of other businesses and working capital.

The securities described above were offered pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-286889) originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on May 1, 2025 and declared effective on May 6, 2025. The offering was made only by means of a prospectus, which is part of the effective registration statement. A final prospectus relating to the offering has been filed with the SEC and is available for free on the SEC’s website located at View Source Electronic copies of the final prospectus may also be obtained by contacting H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC at 430 Park Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10022, by phone at (212) 856-5711 or e-mail at [email protected].

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

NKGen Biotech to Present Troculeucel Clinical and Biomarker Results at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) 28th Annual Meeting

On May 7, 2025 NKGen Biotech, Inc. (OTC: NKGN) ("NKGen" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative autologous and allogeneic natural killer ("NK") cell therapeutics, reported an upcoming presentation on Phase 1 clinical data from the Company’s Phase 1/2a trial evaluating troculeucel, cryopreserved expanded autologous NK cell therapy, in patients with moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD), at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) 28th Annual Meeting, which will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana from May 13–17, 2025 (Press release, NKMax America, MAY 7, 2025, View Source [SID1234652643]).

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Presentation Details

Title: Use of Expanded Non-genetically Modified Natural Killer Cells (Troculeucel) with Enhanced Cytotoxicity in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease. Preliminary Clinical and Biomarker Results.

Presenting Author: Paul Y. Song, M.D.

Session Details: Gene Therapy Clinical Trials – Oral Presentation

Location: NOLA Theater B

Presentation Date & Time: Wednesday, May 14, 2025; 2:30–2:45 PM, Central Time

Previously disclosed data for troculeucel in Alzheimer’s disease and solid tumors can be found on the

Company’s website at View Source News releases containing troculeucel clinical trial updates and regulatory approvals can be found on the News page of the Company’s website at View Source

About Troculeucel

Troculeucel is a novel cell-based, patient specific, ex vivo expanded autologous NK cell immunotherapeutic drug candidate. NKGen is developing troculeucel for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and a broad range of cancers. Troculeucel is the International Nonproprietary Name ("INN") for SNK01 assigned by the World Health Organization ("WHO"). The WHO INN approval of troculeucel establishes a universally recognized nonproprietary drug name for SNK01 and marks a significant step on NKGen’s journey toward bringing this therapy to market.

Merck to Participate in the Bank of America 2025 Global Healthcare Conference

On May 7, 2025 Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, reported that Jannie Oosthuizen, president, Human Health U.S., and Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories, are scheduled to participate in a fireside chat at the Bank of America 2025 Global Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 10:40 a.m. PDT / 1:40 p.m. EDT (Press release, Merck & Co, MAY 7, 2025, View Source [SID1234652642]).

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Investors, analysts, members of the media and the general public are invited to listen to a live audio webcast of the presentation at this weblink.

Immunocore reports first quarter financial results and provides a business update

On May 7, 2025 Immunocore Holdings plc (Nasdaq: IMCR) ("Immunocore" or the "Company"), a commercial-stage biotechnology company pioneering and delivering transformative immunomodulating medicines to radically improve outcomes for patients with cancer, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases, reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, and provided a business update (Press release, Immunocore, MAY 7, 2025, View Source [SID1234652641]).

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"We are thrilled to have achieved strong revenue performance in Q1, marked by year-over-year growth of 33%. This reflects our unwavering dedication to making KIMMTRAK accessible to patients who need it," said Bahija Jallal, Chief Executive Officer of Immunocore. "In R&D, we continue to be laser-focused on execution in our oncology franchise with three ongoing Phase 3 trials and a promising early pipeline. We are also excited to have presented the initial MAD data at CROI from our ongoing HIV trial, which, together with our progress in autoimmune, underscores the breadth of our platform."

First Quarter 2025 Highlights (including post-period)

Financial Results
Total net product revenue (or "net sales") arising from the sales of KIMMTRAK (tebentafusp) was $93.9 million in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 33% over the first quarter of 2024, of which $56.6 million was generated in the United States, $32.8 million in Europe and $4.5 million in international regions.

Research & development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2025, were $56.5 million, compared to $57.5 million for the same period in 2024. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2025, were $40.2 million, compared to $39.3 million in the same period in 2024.

Net income for the first quarter of 2025 was $5.0 million compared to a net loss of $24.4 million in the same period in 2024. The first quarter basic and diluted income/(loss) per share was $0.10, compared to $(0.49) for the first quarter of 2024.

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at March 31, 2025, were $837.0 million.

KIMMTRAK
The Company’s lead product, KIMMTRAK (tebentafusp), is approved in 39 countries and has been launched in 26 countries globally to date for HLA-A*02:01 positive people with metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM). KIMMTRAK continues to be the standard of care in most markets where it is launched.

The Company sees three key growth areas for KIMMTRAK including continued global expansion in mUM, the potential expansion into 2L+ advanced cutaneous melanoma (CM), and the potential expansion into adjuvant uveal melanoma.

Metastatic uveal melanoma

In the first quarter of 2025, KIMMTRAK net product sales were $93.9 million.
Now launched in two additional countries for a total of 26 globally.
13% year-over-year growth in the United States, with demand continuing to grow as outreach extends into the community setting.
Growth in Europe and in international regions driven by increased demand, new country launches, and completion of price negotiations in France and Germany.
2L+ advanced cutaneous melanoma

The Company is currently enrolling the TEBE-AM registrational Phase 3 trial and expects to complete enrollment in the first half of 2026.
The Phase 3 trial is enrolling three arms: tebentafusp monotherapy, tebentafusp in combination with pembrolizumab, and a control (investigator’s choice of therapy including options such as investigator’s choice of clinical trials, chemotherapy, or retreatment with anti-PD1 or BRAF therapy).
There is great unmet need in second- and later-line cutaneous melanoma, with no therapy having shown an Overall Survival (OS) improvement post checkpoint inhibitors in a randomized clinical trial. The Company estimates that there is a potential to address up to 4,000 previously treated advanced CM patients.

Adjuvant uveal (or ocular) melanoma

The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) is enrolling patients in the Phase 3 Adjuvant Trial in Ocular Melanoma (ATOM).
The Company estimates that the HLA-A*02:01 high-risk adjuvant uveal melanoma patient population could be up to 1,200 patients.
PRAME portfolio
Brenetafusp is the Company’s lead PRAME-A02 ImmTAC bispecific candidate. Brenetafusp is being evaluated in combination with nivolumab in a Phase 3 registrational trial (PRISM-MEL-301) in patients with first-line, advanced cutaneous melanoma, and in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial as monotherapy and in combination across multiple tumor types, including ovarian cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PRISM-MEL-301 – First PRAME Phase 3 clinical trial with brenetafusp in first-line advanced cutaneous melanoma

The Company is enrolling patients in the registrational Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating brenetafusp + nivolumab versus a control arm of either nivolumab or nivolumab + relatlimab for HLA-A*02:01 positive patients with first-line, advanced or metastatic cutaneous melanoma.
The trial is currently randomizing to three arms: two brenetafusp dose regimens (40 mcg and 160 mcg) and a control arm. The Company is on track for selection of the go-forward brenetafusp dose in the second half of 2025; this analysis will be conducted by an IDMC.
Despite approved therapies, there remains a need for improved progression-free survival and overall survival, and there is the potential to address an estimated 10,000 patients.

Phase 1/2 clinical trial of brenetafusp in multiple solid tumors

The Company continues to evaluate brenetafusp in a Phase 1/2 trial in combination with non-platinum chemotherapies in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) and with bevacizumab or with platinum chemotherapy in earlier lines of platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer (PSOC). In the same trial, the Company continues signal detection in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cohorts, including brenetafusp in combination with docetaxel and with osimertinib in earlier-line NSCLC.
The Company estimates that, across all solid tumors, the annual number of patients worldwide who test positive for HLA-A*02:01 and can potentially benefit from this program is up to 150,000.
IMC-P115C (PRAME-A02 Half-Life Extended) & IMC-T119C (PRAME-A24)

The Company is enrolling patients in the Phase 1 dose escalation trial, in multiple solid tumors, with IMC-P115C.
IMC-P115C is the Company’s first half-life extended ImmTAC therapy – targeting the same PRAME peptide and with the same CD3 effector and TCR specificity as brenetafusp. It is designed to improve patient convenience by reducing the frequency of treatment administration.
IMC-R117C (PIWIL1) for colorectal and other gastrointestinal cancers

The Company is enrolling patients in the Phase 1/2 dose escalation trial evaluating IMC-R117C in HLA-A*02:01 positive patients with advanced solid tumors, including colorectal cancer, as a single agent and in combination with standards of care.
PIWIL1 is believed to play a role in tumor progression and is expressed across a range of tumors, including colorectal cancer.
ImmTAV candidates for a functional cure in infectious diseases
The Company’s bispecific TCR technology platform has the potential to offer a new approach for the treatment of certain chronic infections and aims to eliminate evidence of remaining virus in circulation after the patient stops taking medication – known as a "functional cure." Two investigational candidates are in Phase 1 or Phase 1/2 trials for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and people with chronic hepatitis B infection (HBV).

Phase 1/2 trial of IMC-M113V (Gag-A02) for people living with HIV

The Company presented data from the initial multiple ascending dose (MAD) portion of the Phase 1/2 dose escalation trial, including 16 people living with HIV (PLWH), at the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI).
All doses were well tolerated and no serious adverse events or dose limiting toxicities were observed.
In the 15 evaluable PLWH, delayed viral rebound and/or viremia control at any point during the analytical treatment interruption (ATI) was observed in 0 of 5 PLWH at 60 mcg, 1 of 5 at 120 mcg, and 2 of 5 at 300 mcg.
The 3 PLWH with evidence of viral control had a viral load of approximately 200 copies/mL at week 8. The historical rate for this observation is 5%1. Furthermore, 2 of these 3 PLWH remained off ART for the entire 12-week ATI period that was pre-specified in the protocol.
Patient enrollment continues at higher doses in the multiple ascending dose part of the Phase 1/2 clinical trial to identify a safe and tolerable dose.

Phase 1 trial of IMC-I109V (Envelope-A02) for people living with HBV or HBV-positive hepatocellular carcinoma

The Company plans to report data from the single ascending dose portion of the trial in the second half of 2025.

Tissue-specific down modulation of the immune system for autoimmune diseases
The key differentiator of the ImmTAAI platform is tissue-specific, down modulation of the immune system, as the candidates suppress pathogenic T cells via PD1 receptor agonism only when tethered to the target tissue.

IMC-S118AI (PPI-A02) for type 1 diabetes

The Company is on track to file a CTA or investigational new drug application (IND) for IMC-S118AI (PPI x PD1) in the second half of 2025.
IMC-S118AI is targeted specifically to the pancreatic beta-cell and intended as a disease-modifying treatment in type 1 diabetes. IMC-S118AI recognizes a peptide from pre-pro-insulin protein that is presented by HLA-A02 on beta cells and has a PD1 agonist effector arm.
IMC-U120AI (CD1a) for atopic dermatitis as the initial indication – first universal program

The Company plans to file a CTA/IND for IMC-U120AI (CD1a x PD1) in 2026.
IMC-U120AI is a non-HLA-restricted (i.e. universal for all populations) CD1a-tethered PD1 agonist ImmTAAI therapy. IMC-U120AI has a dual mechanism of action: blocking CD1a (which presents lipids) from activating CD1a-specific T cells and preventing HLA Class I/II (which presents peptides) from activating T cells via PD1 agonism on the T cell.
Financial Results
Basic and diluted income per share was $0.10 for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, as compared to a basic and diluted loss per share of ($0.49) for the same period in 2024. Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, was $5.0 million, as compared to a net loss of $(24.4) million for the same period in 2024.

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, the Company generated net product sales of $93.9 million compared to $70.3 million for the same period in 2024, due to sales of KIMMTRAK, of which $56.6 million was in the United States, $32.8 million (including one-time favorable revenue adjustments recorded upon completion of price negotiations in France and Germany of $6.0M) was in Europe, and $4.5 million was in the international regions. The increase in net product sales was due to global country expansion and increased sales volume in the United States, as we continued our commercialization efforts.

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, research and development (R&D) expenses were $56.5 million compared to $57.5 million for the same period in 2024.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, SG&A expenses were $40.2 million compared to $39.3 million for the same period in 2024.

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $837.0 million as of March 31, 2025, as compared to $820.4 million as of December 31, 2024.