Intensity Therapeutics Preclinical Results Show Anti-Cancer Synergy of INT230-6 with Anti-PD-1 Compounds
Research Selected for Presentation at the 2015 Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Annual Meeting
WESTPORT, Conn. & NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Intensity Therapeutics, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company developing proprietary immune-based cancer therapy products, presented preclinical results from a study of the Company’s lead product, INT230-6, in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. The results show significantly increased antitumor response using a combination of INT230-6 with an anti-PD-1 antibody compared to combined administration of anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies. These results were selected for presentation at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Annual Meeting. The conference is being held Wednesday November 4 through Sunday November 8 at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
Lewis H. Bender, president & CEO of Intensity Therapeutics, remarked, “INT230-6 has been shown to increase recruitment of immune cells to the tumor micro-environment after intratumoral administration. When given concurrently with checkpoint inhibitors, the immune response is even more robust, and in this study resulted in a lasting T-cell memory specific to the tumor type treated.”
Data being presented show that INT230-6 has significant synergy with anti-PD-1 compounds when given concurrently. Greater than 50% of animals having colon cancer tumors with mean volumes greater than 300mm3 prior to dosing achieved a complete response (CR) compared to no animals that were administered the two checkpoint inhibitors alone. Further, following a rechallenge with cells from the same tumor type, CR animals were able to mount a spontaneous and successful antitumor response and remained tumor-free without additional treatment. This anti-cancer immunity persisted for the life of the animal. However animals depleted of T cells (CD4+ and CD8+) prior to the challenge were unable to mount a successful anti-tumor response.
Mr. Bender concluded, “These experiments further expand our understanding of the mechanism of action of INT230-6, which appears to induce a robust memory T -cell response specific for the tumor treated. We look forward to exploring INT230-6 in clinical studies, which we expect to start in 2016.”
Intensity Therapeutics’ poster, number 369, is titled: “INT230-6 shows strong synergy with anti-PD-1 and can induce high complete response rates with T-cell memory response in a colon cancer mouse model.” It is co-authored by Ian B. Walters, MD, chief medical officer; Lewis H. Bender; and three members of the National Cancer Institutes’ Vaccine Branch: Jay A. Berzofsky, MD, PhD, chief of the Branch; Masaki Terabe, PhD, deputy section chief, and Anja C. Bloom, PhD visiting fellow scientist. The poster is being presented by Dr. Anja Bloom in sessions from Thursday, November 5th at 8:00 a.m. through 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 7th in the Prince George's Exhibit Hall A.
About INT230-6
INT230-6 is a novel, anticancer drug product able to disperse through tumors and diffuse into cancer cells. The product was identified from Intensity’s DfuseRxSM platform technology. Using in vivo preclinical models of severe cancer, INT230-6 treatment results in substantial improvement in overall survival compared to standard therapies. The product can completely clear large tumors in animal models. Complete responders have long term protection from multiple re-inoculations of the cancer. INT230-6 administration has shown an increased recruitment of immune cells to the tumor micro-environment.
About Intensity Therapeutics, Inc.
Intensity Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company whose mission is to greatly extend the lives of patients with cancer. Intensity Therapeutics is pioneering a new immune-based approach to treat cancer - in situ vaccination. The Company uses its DfuseRxSM platform technology to create new products capable of attenuating (killing) a tumor in a manner that allows for the adaptive immune system to recognize the cancer and attack tumors. Further information can be found by visiting www.intensitytherapeutics.com or by following @IntensityInc on Twitter.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Intensity Therapeutics’ plans, future operations and objectives. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual performance or achievements to be materially different from those currently anticipated. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about the initiation and timing of future clinical trials.
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Investors:
Intensity Therapeutics, Inc.
Lewis
Bender
President & CEO
8 Wright Street, Suite 107
Westport,
CT 06880
Tel. (203) 682-2434
Email: lbender@intensitytherapeutics.com
or
Media:
Aline
Schimmel
Scienta Communications
Tel: (312) 238-8957
Email:
aschimmel@scientapr.com
Source: Intensity Therapeutics, Inc.
Released November 5, 2015