Last checked at 
(Alliance News) - Faron Pharmaceuticals Oy said on Friday its MATINS study of nine cancer patients is progressing well, and it is planning to expand the clinical trial to more countries.
The clinical stage drug developer is undertaking the trial to investigate the safety and effectiveness of Clevegen, the company's cancer immunotherapy.
Faron reached its planned Clevegen dosing of 10 milligrams per kilogram in June and said this was "well tolerated" by patients. It plans to propose an increase of the test dosage to 20 milligrams per kilogram to the trial's independent data monitoring board.
The MATINS study is investigating five cancers: cutaneous melanoma, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, ovarian and colorectal. Altogether these cancers have two million annual cases worldwide.
Of the nine patients being studied across three clinical sites in the UK and Finland, two subjects have demonstrated anti-cancer responses.
One patient with colorectal cancer showed a shrinking of lung metastasis, which is when cancerous cells from other parts of the body spread to the lungs. Another subject with colorectal cancer showed signs that their tumours were stabilised.
Faron has also filed a pre-investigational new drug application with the US Food & Drug Administration which if approved, could allow the company to open new sites in the country and expand its colorectal cancer cohort.
The company hopes to expand clinical development plans by including cancer centres in Spain and France as the next countries in Europe to join the MATINS trial.
Shares in Faron rose 18% at 138.52 pence each in London on Friday morning.
