On June 4, 2018 NewLink Genetics Corporation (NASDAQ:NLNK) reported that data from two Phase 2 studies of indoximod, used in combination with other agents, were presented at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (Press release, NewLink Genetics, JUN 4, 2018, View Source [SID1234527148]).
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"Our data in advanced melanoma suggest that indoximod in combination with checkpoint blockade shows encouraging response rates potentially in both PD-L1 positive and negative patients," said Charles J. Link, Jr, MD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We wish to thank the patients and their caregivers who participated in both of these studies."
Indoximod in combination with checkpoint inhibition in advanced melanoma
Results from a single-arm Phase 2 study of indoximod in combination with checkpoint inhibitors for patients with advanced melanoma were presented today by Yousef Zakharia, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation at the University of Iowa and Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.
In this study, of 102 total patients enrolled, 101 patients with advanced melanoma were treated with indoximod plus standard-of-care checkpoint inhibition as approved for melanoma. 70 patients with cutaneous or mucosal melanoma were treated with pembrolizumab plus indoximod and had an on-treatment imaging, meeting the per-protocol, pre-specified definition of evaluable for efficacy. Of the remaining 32 patients, 15 had uveal melanoma, 4 received ipilimumab, 4 received nivolumab, and one patient was never treated. In addition, 8 patients came off study prior to the first on-treatment imaging study. The full data set, including the expanded biopsy cohort, is provided on the company’s website in the "Posters & Presentations" section under the "Investors & Media" tab.
Key findings from the 70 evaluable for efficacy patients presented from the study include:
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ORR for combination therapy of 56%
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CR of 19%
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Median PFS of 12.4 months
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PD-L1 ≥ 1% staining of 54% (22/41 patients with archival tissue)
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ORR by PD-L1 status
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PD-L1 (+) patients: ORR of 77%
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PD-L1 (-) patients: ORR of 42%
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Combination was well tolerated
Indoximod in combination with chemotherapy in metastatic pancreatic cancer
Results from a Phase 2 study of indoximod plus chemotherapy for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer were presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) by Nathan Bahary, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in the Division of Oncology and Medical Director of the Pancreatic Cancer Program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Key findings from this study show that the combination was well tolerated with a median Overall Survival (mOS) of 10.9 months and an Overall Response Rate (ORR) of 46.1%. Although the study did not meet the prespecified primary goal of a 30% decrease in the risk of death compared with historical controls, the combination demonstrated potentially promising activity with an immunologic correlation for response to therapy. These data may be found on the company’s website in the "Posters & Presentations" section under the "Investors & Media" tab.
Exhibit 99.1
About Indoximod
Indoximod is an investigational, orally available small molecule targeting the IDO pathway. The IDO pathway is a key immuno-oncology target involved in regulating the tumor microenvironment and immune escape. Indoximod is being evaluated in combination with treatment regimens including chemotherapy, radiation, checkpoint blockade and cancer vaccines across multiple indications such as AML, DIPG and melanoma.