On September 6, 2023 Voltron Therapeutics, Inc., a Lucius Partners portfolio company, reported that the Dose-Ranging Immunogenicity Study of VTX-0P4, a protein-based cancer vaccine targeting Prostate Stem Cell Antigen (PSCA), induced robust, statistically significant immune responses in a dose dependent manner compared to controls (Press release, Voltron Therapeutics, SEP 6, 2023, View Source [SID1234634952]). This is an important target in the fight against Prostate Cancer. The study utilized a well-established mouse model of PSCA expressing cancers including prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers.

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Importantly, this trial validated the ability of Voltron’s targeted vaccines to train T cells to mount specific responses to immunogenic proteins, in addition to its previously shown ability to generate immune responses to peptides, and further confirmed that the SAV is well tolerated. The ability of the SAV to target full proteins and 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.

"Our team is very encouraged by the results of this trial. We have demonstrated that the Self Assembling Vaccine (SAV) targeting PSCA significantly augments T Cell responses in comparison to controls against this important tumor target," said Dr. Mark Poznansky, Director of the VIC. He added, "Our PSCA vaccine induced a significant increase in the percentage in the spleen of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing IFNγ as a recall response to PSCA overlapping peptides. The magnitude of these responses were comparable to those seen in the prior HPV E6/E7 studies, which subsequently demonstrated significant increases in survival and reductions in tumor progression in a mouse model of HPV induced cancer. This strongly suggests we can address PSCA or other tumor antigen expressing cancers with a full protein approach."

"As with our highly significant immunogenicity/efficacy trials using E6/E7 peptides for HPV related cancers (e.g. cervical and head and neck cancers), HSP70 had a strong immune adjuvanting effect against PSCA at higher doses in the stimulated spleen cells," said Patrick J. Gallagher, chief executive officer of Voltron Therapeutics. "Once again, the platform has increased T cell engagement relative to controls and may offer advantages over other approaches and technologies in these widely used preclinical models."

This important research and development milestone further demonstrates and supports the Self Assembling Vaccine (SAV) platform’s unique capabilities: development speed, target/pathogen flexibility and significant engagement of the immune system. This work with a full length protein expands the potential value/solutions that the SAV platform could offer in the oncology and infectious disease settings.

"The team’s deliberate and disciplined approach to R&D and specific target selection has once again lead to promising results," said James Ahern, Managing Partner of Laidlaw & Company and founder of Lucius Partners. "We are excited to commence our pre-clinical PSCA efficacy study in the near future and continue to leverage our highly flexible vaccine platform to create new solutions for clinicians and patients and value for our shareholders."