On August 5, 2021 NOXXON Pharma N.V. (Euronext Growth Paris: ALNOX), a biotechnology company focused on improving cancer treatments by targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME), reported an update on the clinical development and timelines of its lead asset NOX-A12 (Press release, NOXXON, AUG 5, 2021, View Source [SID1234585939]).

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As NOX-A12 recently reported promising data from the second cohort of patients with glioblastoma (brain cancer), NOXXON is advancing and broadening the clinical programs with the upcoming expansion of the ongoing GLORIA study in patients with brain cancer and the initiation of a Phase 2 study in pancreatic cancer patients over the coming 12 months:

Brain cancer:

the ongoing Phase 1/2 GLORIA trial (NCT04121455), evaluating NOX-A12 in combination with radiotherapy in first-line MGMT unmethylated brain cancer patients, has already reported positive data from the first 2 cohorts of 3 patients each treated with weekly doses of 200 and 400 mg of NOX-A12. The third cohort of 3 patients dosed at 600 mg per week has been fully recruited with data expected in Q4 2021, but due to the drop out of one of the patients unrelated to NOX-A12, recruitment of a replacement patient has been initiated and the data from this third cohort are now expected in Q1 2022,
the expansion of the Phase 1/2 GLORIA trial with NOX-A12 in MGMT unmethylated brain cancer patients is expected to be initiated in September 2021 at the 6 clinical sites in Germany which are already participating. First patients are expected to be recruited in Q4 2021. The trial will (i) expand the patient population to those with completely resected tumors for the combination of NOX-A12 with radiotherapy and (ii) evaluate a new NOX-A12 treatment combination in patients with incompletely resected tumors.
Pancreatic cancer:

a new Phase 2 trial (OPTIMUS) with NOX-A12 in combination with MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), is now expected to start in Q2 2022, from the initial expected start in H2 2021. Although the collaboration with MSD was signed in July 2021, delays due to COVID-19 and other issues beyond NOXXON’s control at raw materials and active ingredient services providers mean that the NOX-A12 batches needed to initiate the Phase 2 will only be available in Q1 2022 with first patients therefore expected to be dosed in Q2 2022.
Aram Mangasarian, CEO of NOXXON commented: "The unexpected manufacturing delay affecting the pancreas cancer program is naturally disappointing, but we have worked tirelessly to address the issues to ensure the NOX-A12 batches are released as fast as possible while maintaining the highest standards in quality. We are very excited that Merck reiterated their trust in our collaboration by entering into a second collaboration with NOXXON and we look forward to delivering on our new expanded clinical program with NOX-A12. Recruitment of the brain cancer expansion cohort would be unaffected by these drug manufacturing and supply issues."