On August 14, 2017 Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE MKT:AST), a biotechnology company pioneering the field of regenerative medicine, reported that Cancer Research UK, supported by Asterias technical personnel, has successfully completed manufacture of the first cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) clinical grade lot of AST-VAC2, which meets all specifications for release (Press release, BioTime, AUG 14, 2017, View Source [SID1234520223]). This lot will provide clinical trial material for patients enrolling in the first clinical study evaluating AST-VAC2 in non-small cell lung cancer.
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"The successful production of this first cGMP lot of AST-VAC2 is a major step towards initiating the upcoming study in non-small cell lung cancer," said Mike Mulroy, President and Chief Executive Officer. "With its potential as a ready-to-use, off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapy, AST-VAC2 represents an exciting opportunity for Asterias in the rapidly evolving cancer immunotherapy sector."
Investigational therapies intended for human clinical applications must be manufactured in accordance with cGMP standards designed to help assure the safety and potency of drug products. To achieve cGMP standards, a product must be manufactured and released according to rigorous systems designed to ensure appropriate control of manufacturing facilities, equipment, raw materials, processes and testing procedures. Under the company’s agreement with Cancer Research UK, Asterias has transferred its innovative laboratory scale AST-VAC2 manufacturing process to Cancer Research UK’s Biotherapeutics Development Unit, which has developed and optimized the process for cGMP manufacture and is responsible for producing cGMP AST-VAC2 for use in the upcoming clinical study in non-small cell lung cancer.
About AST-VAC2
AST-VAC2 is an innovative immunotherapy product that contains mature dendritic cells derived from pluripotent stem cells. These non-patient specific (allogeneic) AST-VAC2 cells are engineered to express a modified form of telomerase, a protein widely expressed in tumor cells, but rarely found in normal cells. The modified form of telomerase permits enhanced stimulation of immune responses to the protein. The AST-VAC2 dendritic cells instruct the immune system to generate responses against telomerase which will target tumor cells. AST-VAC2 is based on a specific mode of action that is complementary and potentially synergistic to other immune therapies.
About Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Lung cancer (both small cell and non-small cell) is the leading cause of cancer-related death, accounting for about one-quarter of all cancer deaths and more than colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers combined. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 80% to 85% of lung cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. The three main types of NSCLC are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. The American Cancer Society’s estimates for lung cancer in the United States for 2017 are: about 222,500 new cases of lung cancer, and about 155,870 deaths from lung cancer. Despite the large number of people afflicted by non-small cell lung cancer, patients remain vastly underserved due to a scarcity of effective treatments. According to statistics published by Cancer Research UK, the five year survival rate for lung cancer patients in England and Wales is less than 10%.