On February 25, 2020 IO Biotech, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, immune modulating anti-cancer therapies based on its proprietary T-win technology, reported the successful outcome of a scheduled interim analysis of the ongoing Phase 2 trial (IO102-012/KEYNOTE-764) of its lead cancer therapeutic vaccine, IO102, in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (Press release, IO Biotech, FEB 25, 2020, View Source [SID1234554683]). In this randomized trial, IO102 is being tested in combination with Merck’s anti-PD1 therapy, Keytruda (pembrolizumab) as a first-line therapy in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. The interim analysis was designed as a futility analysis. The Safety Monitoring Committee has recommended to continue the trial without modifications as the futility boundary was successfully passed.

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"We set a very high hurdle for the futility boundary for the interim analysis in this difficult to treat disease. Specifically, the successful outcome of this interim analysis required the objective response rate in the experimental arm to exceed the futility boundary which was substantially higher than the historical experience with Keytruda monotherapy in this population. We are excited to note that this hurdle has been successfully crossed," said Eva Ehrnrooth, MD, PhD, chief medical officer of IO Biotech. "Through this trial, we expect to get a comprehensive data set that paves the way for a potential pivotal trial of IO102 addressing the unmet medical need in NSCLC and solid tumors."

"The year 2020 will be a transformational year for IO Biotech. We are pleased by the data generated thus far in the ongoing trial of our off-the-shelf subcutaneous injectable treatment for patients with lung cancer. Additionally, the exciting data being generated in the ongoing melanoma trial with our proprietary T-win cocktail that includes IO102 and IO103 (our two clinical lead programs based on targeting IDO and PD-L1) will allow the company to initiate pivotal trials in two indications with two drugs," said Mai-Britt Zocca, PhD, CEO and Founder of IO Biotech. "We continue to demonstrate long term durability of drug effect with a very attractive safety profile for each of our clinical stage candidates, whether alone or in any combination."

IO Biotech’s lead candidate, IO102, is an Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) derived immune modulating therapy with a dual mode of action – killing both cancer cells and immune-suppressive cells. IO Biotech’s IDO-derived immune modulating therapies previously demonstrated both a favorable safety profile and promising anti-tumor activity in its first human clinical trial of heavily pre-treated patients with NSCLC.

About the Study
IO102-012/KEYNOTE-764 is an Open-label, Randomized, Phase 1/2 Trial Investigating the Safety and Efficacy of IO102 in Combination with Pembrolizumab, with or without Chemotherapy, as first-line Treatment for Patients with Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. This global clinical trial is planned to accrue 108 patients across around 20 sites in the U.S. and Europe.

The IO102-012/KN-764 trial is part of a collaborative agreement with Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA (known as MSD outside the US and Canada). The clinical trial is sponsored by IO Biotech. The rights to the study results will be shared, and IO Biotech has retained global commercial rights to IO102.

About NSCLC
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than colon, breast and prostate cancers combined. The two main types of lung cancer are non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for about 85 percent of all cases. According to the ACS, the five-year survival rate for patients suffering from highly advanced, metastatic (Stage IV) lung cancers is estimated to be six percent.

KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

About T-win Technology Platform
IO Biotech’s proprietary T-win technology platform enables identification of compounds with dual mechanism of action targeting and directly killing immunosuppressive cells and tumor cells while indirectly activating other T-effectors, leading to strong anti-tumor responses. The company’s compounds are administered as "off-the-shelf" subcutaneous injections, distinguishing these treatments from many immuno-oncology therapies.