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Evaxion to present two-year clinical efficacy data from phase 2 trial with AI-designed personalized cancer vaccine EVX-01 at the ESMO Congress 2025

On July 25, 2025 Evaxion A/S (NASDAQ: EVAX) ("Evaxion"), a clinical-stage TechBio company specializing in developing AI-Immunology powered vaccines, reported it will be presenting two-year clinical efficacy data from its phase 2 trial with lead compound EVX-01 at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2025 to be held in Berlin, Germany, from October 17-21, 2025 (Press release, Evaxion Biotech, JUL 25, 2025, View Source [SID1234654522]).

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Designed with Evaxion’s AI-Immunology platform, EVX-01 is a personalized cancer vaccine currently being evaluated as a treatment for advanced melanoma (skin cancer). The trial has yielded numerous convincing data already, including interim one-year data presented at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress in September 2024. Data demonstrated a 69% Overall Response Rate, reduction in tumor target lesions in 15 out of 16 patients, and a positive correlation between the AI-Immunology platform predictions and immune responses induced by the individual neoantigens in the EVX-01 vaccine (p=0.00013).

"We are delighted to have the two-year data from the EVX-01 phase 2 trial accepted for presentation at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2025. As one of the most important and prestigious medical oncology conferences in the world, the congress will be a great place for us to present the data to a large audience, including potential partners," says Birgitte Rønø, CSO and interim CEO of Evaxion.

The phase 2 trial investigates EVX-01 in combination with MSD’s (Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA) anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in patients with advanced melanoma (skin cancer). Each patient enrolled in the trial has received a unique vaccine designed and manufactured based on their individual biology. KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.

Presentation details

Abstract Title: EVX-01, a personalized cancer vaccine, induces potent T-cell responses and durable disease control in advanced melanoma: 2-year follow-up
Abstract#: #6308
Presentation#: 1516MO
Track: Mini oral session: Investigational immunotherapy
Location: Nuremberg Auditorium – Hall 5.2
Date/Time: October 17 at 14:10 – 14:15 CEST
Presenter: Dr. Muhammad Adnan Khattak, Director, Oncology, One Clinical Research, Hollywood Private Hospital & Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
About EVX-01

EVX-01 is a personalized peptide-based cancer vaccine intended for first-line treatment of multiple advanced solid cancers. It is Evaxion’s lead clinical asset.

EVX-01 is a personalized therapy designed with our AI-Immunology platform and is tailored to target the unique tumor profile and immune characteristics of each patient. It engages the patient’s immune system to fight off cancer by mounting a targeted response against tumors.

In the completed phase 1/2a clinical trial (NCT03715985), assessing EVX-01 in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor, eight of twelve metastatic melanoma patients (67%) had objective clinical responses, with two complete and six partial responses.

In addition, vaccine-induced T cells were detected in all patients and a significant correlation between clinical response and the AI-Immunology predictions was observed, underlining the predictive power of the platform.

Alligator Bioscience announces upcoming presentation of REACtiVe-2 Phase 1 data at ESMO Congress 2025

On July 25, 2025 Alligator Bioscience (Nasdaq Stockholm: ATORX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing tumor-directed immuno-oncology antibody drugs, reported that data from the Phase 1 REACtiVe-2 trial (NCT05650918) of the CD40 agonist mitazalimab in combination with dendritic cell vaccination (Amphera’s MesoPher) will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2025, taking place on 17–21 October in Berlin, Germany (Press release, Alligator Bioscience, JUL 25, 2025, View Source [SID1234654521]).

The study, led by Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, evaluated the safety, tolerability, and immunologic activity of mitazalimab in combination with MesoPher following chemotherapy with mFOLFIRINOX in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. The data will be presented in a poster entitled "REACtiVe-2: Phase I Evaluation of Dendritic Cell Vaccination and Agonistic CD40 Therapy Following (m)FOLFIRINOX in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer".

LaNova Medicines Receives FDA IND Clearance for LM-350, a Novel CDH17-Targeting ADC

On July 24, 2025 LaNova Medicines Ltd. reported that it has received Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for LM-350, its innovative antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting CDH17 (Press release, LaNova Medicines, JUL 24, 2025, View Source [SID1234656026]).

LM-350 was developed using LaNova’s next-generation ADC platform, LM-ADC. It is a highly selective ADC that targets cadherin-17 (CDH17) with strong internalization capacity. The molecule features a wild-type IgG1 backbone and retains antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity. In preclinical studies, LM-350 demonstrated potent anti-tumor efficacy across multiple xenograft models, with particularly strong activity in colorectal cancer cells resistant to MMAE or irinotecan.

CDH17 plays a key role in tumor invasion and metastasis and is highly expressed in approximately 99% of colorectal cancers, 86% of gastric adenocarcinomas, 79% of esophageal adenocarcinomas, and 50% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas [1,2] .Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers—including colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, and Esophageal cancers—are among the most prevalent and deadly cancer types worldwide. In 2022, global incidence exceeded 4 million cases, underscoring the significant unmet medical need in this area.

First half of 2025: Solid growth, investments and pipeline progress pave the way for two key launches in H2

On July 24, 2025 Boehringer Ingelheim reported a significant progress in its pipeline across key therapeutic areas as it reached major milestones in the first half of the year (Press release, Boehringer Ingelheim, JUL 24, 2025, View Source [SID1234655575]).

"We are stepping up our investments in R&D beyond our plans announced in April," said Hubertus von Baumbach, Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors. "The data read-outs that we received in MASH and will receive for oncology, mental health, and pulmonary fibrosis give us reason to accelerate our launch preparedness for these late-stage assets. We are pleased to see our pipeline developing at such pace."

Boehringer advanced its pipeline across clinical phases with five new phase I, II, or III initiations in cardiometabolic diseases, mental health, and oncology, and achieved two additional fast track designations for programs in inflammation. At the same time, the company announced nine R&D partnership agreements, significantly bolstering its human pharma portfolio across all therapeutic areas and tech platforms.

"As our pipelines continue to expand, both in depth and breadth, we need to apply a rigorous focus where we allocate our resources," said Frank Hübler, Member of the Board of Managing Directors with responsibility for Finance. "We want to accelerate our pipeline where we can, to deliver innovative medicines to patients ever faster."

Net sales rose by 7.4%* year-on-year to EUR 12.9 billion in the first six months of 2024, driven by ongoing high patient demand for Boehringer’s medications, especially for the JARDIANCE product family and OFEV in Human Pharma, and NEXGARD in Animal Health.

Human Pharma
As Boehringer prepares for its future portfolio and ongoing and upcoming launches, the past months were marked by developments across all focus therapy areas. For the remainder of the year, more news is expected across the portfolio with data read-outs in oncology (Zongertinib), mental health (Iclepertin) and pulmonary fibrosis (Nerandomilast).

The company’s efforts to advance holistic cardiovascular, renal and metabolic (CRM) health met some major milestones. Positive Phase II data for survodutide in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) showed groundbreaking results in liver disease due to MASH, with 83.0% of adults treated with survodutide achieving significant improvements versus 18.2% for placebo (response difference: 64.8%; CI 51.1%-78.6%, p<0.0001). Also, a sub analysis demonstrated that up to 64.5% of adults with fibrosis stages F2 and F3 (moderate to advanced scarring) achieved an improvement in fibrosis without worsening of MASH vs placebo, 25.9% [response difference: 38.6% (95% CI 18.1% – 59.1%), p=0.0005].1

The company initiated a Phase III trial in chronic heart failure for its novel selective aldosterone synthase inhibitor (ASi) in combination with empagliflozin. In an upcoming Phase III trial in chronic kidney disease for ASi, Boehringer will collaborate with Oxford Population Health.

Boehringer has joined a multi-year sponsorship of the American Heart Association’s Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health Initiative. The initiative, which was announced recently, will allow the company to better understand the burden of people affected by diseases in these interconnected areas and enable better care.

Boehringer is committed to re-entering oncology with targeted investments. Phase Ia/Ib trial of Zongertinib, a HER2-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor in patients with HER2 aberration-positive solid tumors, showed that Zongertinib was well tolerated and demonstrated promising efficacy. 2 The Brightline-1 trial investigating Brigimadlin in dedifferentiated liposarcoma did not meet its primary endpoint, though the benefit-risk assessment remains positive. Data for both oncology trials will be presented at conferences in the coming months.

In the first six months of 2024, the Human Pharma business grew by 9.3%* year on year. Net sales stood at EUR 10.3 billion. Growth was driven primarily by the JARDIANCE family and OFEV. To meet growing demand, the company continues high investments in its production and supply network. In January, Boehringer announced a further expansion and upgrade of its plant in Koropi, Greece. With an investment of EUR 120 million, the company will increase the manufacturing capacity of new and existing medications, some of them in the late-stage development.

Animal Health
In livestock, the VAXXITEK portfolio of poultry vaccines continues to expand and grew by 15.9%*. The company launched BULTAVO 3, a new vaccine that protects cattle and sheep against bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3). It is the first BTV-3 vaccine that prevents clinical signs and mortality. BULTAVO 3 has been licensed for emergency use in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Recent outbreaks of BTV-3 in the three countries caused severe losses for farmers and are threatening neighboring countries.

In the Animal Health business, growth was slower than expected in the first six months, with sales up 0.9%* compared to the same period last year to EUR 2.5 billion. This was primarily due to lower-than-expected sales in the U.S. pet business and challenging market conditions in China, especially impacting the swine vaccine business. Most other markets delivered solid growth.

With the recent launches of NEXGARD PLUS for dogs and NEXGARD COMBO for cats, sales of the NEXGARD parasiticides brands grew by 15.9%*. FRONTPRO, the first approved over-the-counter chewable tablet against ticks and fleas for dogs, is now available in most countries in Europe and continues to drive growth in the region. In pet therapeutics, sales of VETMEDIN, indicated for use in dogs with congestive heart failure, grew by 16.1%*.

Pipeline Outlook
Looking ahead, the company aims for up to 25 new treatment launches in Human Pharma until 2030. In Animal Health, 20 additional launches are expected across markets until 2026, including product updates, indication expansion and new products.

Roche continues strong momentum with 7% growth (CER) in the first half of 2025

On July 24, 2025 Hoffmann-La Roche reported second quarter 2025 results (Presentation, Hoffmann-La Roche, JUL 24, 2025, View Source [SID1234655540]).