On February 12, 2019 Provectus (OTCQB: PVCT) reported that orphan drug designation (ODD) status was granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to small molecule oncolytic immunotherapy PV-10 for the treatment of ocular melanoma (to include all melanoma disease affecting the eye and orbit) (Press release, Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, FEB 12, 2019, View Source [SID1234533258]). Intratumoral injection of small molecule oncolytic immunotherapy PV-10 can yield immunogenic cell death (ICD) in solid tumor cancers and stimulate tumor-specific reactivity in circulating T cells.1-4

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Ocular melanoma is a general category of melanoma disease affecting the eye and orbit. Its most common form, uveal melanoma, is an intraocular affliction originating in melanocytes in the iris, ciliary body, or choroid. Together with melanomas that form in the conjunctiva, cornea, retina, and orbit, these melanomas constitute ocular melanoma. Approximately half of ocular melanoma patients develop metastatic disease despite successful treatment of their primary tumors. Metastatic disease has historically been, and remains, generally fatal.

Preliminary data from Provectus’ uveal melanoma expansion cohort of its Phase 1 "basket study" of PV-10 for the treatment of cancers metastatic to the liver were presented in a poster presentation at the 15th International Congress of the Society for Melanoma Research (SMR 2018 Congress) in late-2018: a total of four patients had received PV-10 for at least one uveal melanoma liver tumor, two patients had received a second round of PV-10 treatment to an additional liver tumor, and one patient initiated standard of care immunotherapy (Opdivo + Yervoy) between PV-10 treatments; treatment-related adverse events were consistent with established patterns; and, tumor reduction was observed in 5 of 6 PV-10-injected tumors. A copy of the poster presentation is available on the Company’s website.

The FDA grants ODD status to medicines intended for the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of rare diseases or disorders that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. ODD status qualifies companies for benefits that include seven years of market exclusivity following marketing approval, tax credits on U.S. clinical trials, eligibility for orphan drug grants, and waiver of certain administrative fees.

ODD status previously was granted to PV-10 for the treatments of metastatic melanoma in 2006, hepatocellular carcinoma in 2011, and neuroblastoma in 2018.

About PV-10

Provectus’ lead investigational oncology drug, PV-10, the first small molecule oncolytic immunotherapy, can induce immunogenic cell death. PV-10 is undergoing clinical study for adult solid tumor cancers, like melanoma and cancers of the liver, and preclinical study for pediatric cancers.