Cytovation ASA, a clinical stage immune-oncology company, is excited to report that the first patient has been dosed in its Phase 2a study of CyPep-1, its first-in-class targeted tumor membrane immunotherapy. This groundbreaking study will investigate the efficacy of CyPep-1 as a monotherapy in patients with advanced melanoma who have failed to respond to checkpoint inhibitor treatments. We are hopeful that this innovative therapy will bring much needed hope to those suffering from this aggressive form of cancer.
The groundbreaking CICILIA trial, which has already demonstrated a favorable safety profile and strong early signals of efficacy in various solid tumors, is now expanding its Phase 1/2 study to include a Phase 2a study. This promising research, conducted in The Netherlands, France, and Spain, holds the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment.
CyPep-1 is a revolutionary targeted tumor membrane immunotherapy that is revolutionizing the fight against cancer. By injecting the peptide intratumorally, it selectively targets cancer cells and induces a systemic, tumor-specific immune response. When it forms pores in the plasma membrane, it releases cancer-specific antigens to the immune system and promotes an inflammatory microenvironment. CyPep-1 is not only easy and scalable to manufacture, but also highly stable – a rare quality among molecules of this type.
CyPep-1, a promising new treatment, is entering Phase 2 expansion studies in order to explore its potential in several indications, including melanoma, a form of skin cancer with few available treatments. This research will investigate the efficacy of CyPep-1 as both a monotherapy and in combination with the immune checkpoint inhibitor KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab). These studies, which could potentially lead to accelerated approval due to their orphan indication status, could provide vital new treatments for melanoma and other diseases.
Cytovation CEO Lars Prestegarden, MD, PhD, is thrilled to be launching the Phase 2a expansion arm of CyPep-1, a powerful drug that has shown great promise in its Phase 1 monotherapy trials. This new development is especially encouraging for those suffering from metastatic melanoma, a condition for which few treatment options are available. CyPep-1 offers a much-needed ray of hope for those who have found their existing treatments to be ineffective.
Cytovation is currently investigating the therapeutic potential of their immunotherapy, CyPep-1, in combination with MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab). Preclinical studies have shown that this combination is highly effective in treating a variety of cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), and melanoma. By combining these two therapies, we are hopeful that we can improve the quality of life and outcomes of patients suffering from these cancers.
About Cytovation
Cytovation ASA is a pioneering, clinical stage biotechnology company located in Bergen, Norway that is revolutionizing the fight against cancer with their first-in-class tumorolytic agent, CyPep-1. This groundbreaking drug targets the cell membrane of tumor cells, providing a powerful new weapon in the battle against this devastating disease. Cytovation is a spin-off from the University of Bergen and is working on a potential breakthrough in cancer treatments.