Scancell Holdings Share News (SCLP)

Scancell, which develops novel immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, on Tuesday revealed that four out of the six evaluable patients treated with either the 2mg or 4mg dose of its SCIB1 drug still remain alive. It said the mean survival time in this group of five Stage IV and one Stage IIIb patients is currently 21 months from trial entry. As a result of the positive developments and minimal side effects seen with the 4mg dose, Scancell has initiated evaluation of an 8mg dose in up to six patients with measurable tumours, and is currently seeking the appropriate regulatory approval to treat a further 10 patients. The group also reported that planning is underway for the preclinical and clinical development of SCMod1 as an immunotherapeutic, provisionally for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer, ovarian and endometrial cancers. First-in-man clinical studies are scheduled to start in 2016. Dr. Richard Goodfellow, joint Chief Executive Officer of Scancell, said: "The SCIB1 clinical programme remains on track and further data is expected by the end of 2013. Having now filed and exemplified the patents covering our Moditope technology, we can provide more detail on how this second platform technology has the potential to generate a completely new class of potent and selective immunotherapy agents and which could have a profound effect on the way that cancer immunotherapies are developed. "In particular, the technology may overcome the immune suppression induced by tumours themselves without the need for checkpoint blockade inhibitors, thereby allowing activated T-cells seek out and kill tumour cells that would otherwise be hidden from the immune system. "In view of the short to medium term licensing and partnership potential that both the Moditope and Immunobody programmes now bring to the company, our strategy requires a more flexible approach. Whilst we are still fully focused on securing a sale of the business at the earliest opportunity, we will now consider technology validating and revenue generating deals on each individual platform when and where appropriate in order to enhance the value of the company when it is sold."NR