GENVAX – LEAD CANDIDATE CNC118

Genvax is a cell therapy and cancer vaccine platform that effectively programs multiple populations of natural immune T-cells to better detect and eliminate cancer cells. The Genvax platform incorporates genetic modifications and vaccine manufacturing improvements that enhance a specific anti-cancer immune response. These advances exploit immunological principles first described by Professors Peter Doherty and Rolf Zinkernagel in their Nobel Prize–winning work carried out in Australia.

The Genvax platform for potent cancer vaccines is applicable to many cancer types. Each Genvax drug candidate needs to be developed for a particular cancer indication, which would constitute an addition to Cancure’s pipeline.

Genvax vaccines are specific to tumour type and developed from genetically modified donor cancer cells. The Genvax lead candidate CNC118 is an allogeneic vaccine (i.e. not derived from the patient’s own tumour) specifically for the treatment of advanced-stage malignant melanoma. CNC118 generates an anti-melanoma immune response that attacks developing melanoma tumours. The vaccine has performed well in preclinical development and has completed a Ph1 human clinical trial, proving well-tolerated with encouraging indications of therapeutic efficacy. These results compare favourably with similar experimental therapies at the same stage of development.

CNC118 is well-positioned for Ph2 clinical trials to definitively demonstrate proof of principle for therapeutic efficacy against late-stage melanoma.

Cancure owns a patent portfolio with two patent families protecting the original and next-generation Genvax technology platforms. Genvax has been granted patents in Australia, US and Europe, with applications pending in Japan, New Zealand and Canada.

Genvax CNC118 is an allogeneic “off-the-shelf” formulation. Every patient receives doses of the same allogeneic vaccine preparation, composed of genetically modified and inactivated cancer cells derived from a master cell bank.