On June 26, 2026 Replimune Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: REPL), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of novel oncolytic immunotherapies, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the resubmission of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for RP1 (vusolimogene oderparepvec) in combination with nivolumab for the treatment of advanced melanoma. The FDA considers this a complete, class 1 response with a goal date of August 2, 2026, and has notified the company to expect an advisory committee meeting in late July.
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"We are pleased that the FDA has demonstrated urgency in reconsidering the RP1 BLA with an expeditious action date in recognition of the significant unmet need for advanced melanoma patients and support from the broader melanoma community," said Sushil Patel, Ph.D., CEO of Replimune. "We look forward to a productive scientific and clinical discussion on the risk/benefit profile of RP1 in this difficult to treat setting."
The resubmission seeks accelerated approval of RP1 in advanced melanoma based on data from the IGNYTE clinical trial, which evaluated RP1 combined with nivolumab in patients with confirmed progression on an anti-PD-1 containing regimen.
About Advanced Melanoma
Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the United States, with approximately 112,000 new cases estimated in 2026 and the most lethal form of skin cancer, accounting for nearly 8,500 deaths annually. Melanoma is considered advanced when the cancer has spread beyond the primary tumor. Standard of care therapy includes immune checkpoint blockade, to which approximately half of patients will not respond or will progress after treatment, leaving a significant population in need of effective therapeutic alternatives.
About RP1
RP1 (vusolimogene oderparepvec) is Replimune’s lead product candidate, based on a proprietary strain of herpes simplex virus engineered and genetically armed with a fusogenic protein (GALV-GP R⁻) and GM-CSF. RP1 is designed to maximize tumor killing potency, the immunogenicity of tumor cell death, and the activation of a systemic anti-tumor immune response.
(Press release, Replimune, JUN 26, 2026, View Source [SID1234668968])