On November 20, 2023 Voltron Therapeutics, Inc., a Lucius Partners portfolio company, reported that it has finalized the protocol for a Dose-Ranging Efficacy Study of VTX-0P4, a protein-based cancer vaccine targeting Prostate Stem Cell Antigen (PSCA). PSCA is a key target in the treatment of Prostate Cancer (Press release, Voltron Therapeutics, NOV 20, 2023, https://voltrontx.com/lucius-partners-portfolio-company-voltron-therapeutics-inc-announces-completion-of-a-trial-protocol-to-study-its-self-assembling-vaccine-to-target-prostate-stem-cell-antigen/ [SID1234653953]). The ability of the SAV to target full proteins, as well as peptides, demonstrates that Voltron’s vaccine platform has the potential to target dozens of oncology and infectious disease targets – collectively multi- billions of dollars of market potential. The pre-clinical trial is expected to commence in December.
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
Voltron recently demonstrated immunogenicity against PSCA in a double blind pre-clinical trial conducted at the Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center at the Massachusetts General Hospital. In that trial VTX-0P4 significantly augmented T-Cell responses when compared to controls against this important tumor target while, once again, exhibiting a very clean safety profile. The magnitude of these responses were comparable to those seen in the Company’s prior HPV E6/E7 studies, which subsequently translated into significant increases in survival and reductions in tumor progression in a mouse model of HPV induced cancer. This strongly suggests VTX-0P4 can address PSCA or other tumor antigen expressing cancers with a full protein approach.
Pat Gallagher, Voltron’s Chief Executive Officer commented, "In our HPV-related cancer proof of concept trial, Voltron validated that targeting hot spot epitopes, E6/E7, can lead to highly statistically significant increases in survival, reduced tumor growth, and increased tumor infiltration by beneficial immune T Cells. By using a full protein in our PSCA trial to attack solid tumors of interest, we are systematically moving into more complex targeting approaches that provide increased flexibility in developing treatments for additional cancer types and infectious diseases. As with our HPV design, this trial will also evaluate the specific vaccine as monotherapy and in combination with a Checkpoint Inhibitor (PD-1)."
The SAV Platform’s novel mechanism of action offers a promising solution for rapid development and production of vaccines at a reduced cost. It utilizes the same backbone for all vaccines, but with different ‘targeting warheads,’ allowing cost-effective production for specific cancer or infectious disease targets. With the SAV, ‘targeting warheads’ may potentially include different types of antigens including proteins, peptides, polysaccharides or nucleic acids. Importantly, utilizing the same core immune activating component across all the vaccines, MTBHSP70, reduces regulatory risks by largely eliminating off-target inflammation inherent in standard adjuvants. Additionally, this utilizes an expression system Voltron has already translated to good manufacturing processes production for clinical testing.
"We are excited to initiate Voltron’s PSCA pre-clinical efficacy trial," said James Ahern, Managing Partner of Laidlaw & Company and co-founder of Lucius Partners. "With success, we will have two immune-oncology vaccines that potentially address six unique cancers to move toward first-in-human trials. We will continue to build on our successful programs to address patient needs and create shareholder value."