On February 11, 2019 Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX: HBP), (FSE: HBP) ("Helix" or the "Company"), an immuno-oncology company developing innovative drug candidates for the prevention and treatment of cancer reported an update on the Company’s strategic plans (Press release, Helix BioPharma, FEB 11, 2019, View Source [SID1234533784]).

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!

Pre-clinical Development

The Company extended its collaboration with the Moffitt Cancer Center as a result of preliminary studies that show L-DOS47 may increase the activity of a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor in treating pancreatic cancer. Helix’s plan is to increase the clinical application of L-DOS47 with various combination treatments, including immunotherapies with checkpoint inhibitors.

Clinical Development

As previously announced on November 13, 2018, the Company’s L-DOS47 clinical development program is focused solely on combination therapies in patients with non-small cell lung cancer ("NSCLC").

The Company currently has two L-DOS47 clinical studies underway. The first is a US Phase I program (LDOS001) in combination with pemetrexed and carboplatin which is near completion and has only two more cohorts to complete the study. The second is a European Phase 2b program (LDOS003) in combination with cisplatin and vinorelbine which is ready to enroll patients.

The Company is actively working on an Investigational New Drug ("IND") application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for an L-DOS47 pancreatic cancer study in combination with doxorubicin ("LDOS006"). The company expects to file the IND application in March.

The Company is also considering a new L-DOS47 combination study with pemetrexed, cisplatin and immunotherapy, such as Keytruda ("LDOS007").

These clinical programs form part of the Company’s overall strategic plan which includes demonstrating L-DOS47’s broad utility as a drug in combination with leading treatments for lung and pancreatic cancer.

Licensing / Partnerships

The Company continues to work with Deloitte Corporate Finance Inc. The Company has engaged in dialogue with several targeted groups of potential qualified partners with the goal of negotiating on a prospective partnership, alliance or licensing transaction.

Divestiture of Polish subsidiary

The Company has been in discussions with a group that includes ACM Alpha Consulting Management AG ("ACMag") to divest a majority stake in the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary Helix Immuno-Oncology S.A. which the Company is working towards putting it to a vote for shareholder approval at its annual general and special meeting which is to take place no later than April 18, 2019.

Corporate Development

The Company has also been in discussions with several U.S. based financial advisory firms. These discussions include the raising of working capital to finance the Company’s drug development programs as well as exploring possible merger and acquisition opportunities and exploring U.S. listing alternatives, such as Nasdaq.

Conference

Dr. Heman Chao, Helix’s Chief Executive Officer will be the attending BIO CEO Conference in New York on February 11th and 12th and has scheduled several meetings with potential licensing partners and U.S. financial advisory firms.