TILT Biotherapeutics has announced that the first US patient has been dosed in its ovarian cancer trial, using its oncolytic adenovirus, TILT-123.
This open-label, phase I, dose-escalation, multicenter, and multinational, clinical trial of TILT-123 in combination with MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), is for platinum resistant or refractory ovarian cancer (PROTA, also called TILT-T563). The US patient, treated at the Mayo Clinic, should complete enrollment in the first cohort of three patients, the other two located in Finland. The Phase I trial is expected to enroll up to 15 patients.
Cover several cancer types
The company’s European and US open phase I clinical programs now cover several cancer types including ovarian cancer, head and neck cancer, and melanoma. In September, the company announced a new collaboration and supply agreement with MSD to evaluate TILT-123 in combination with KEYTRUDA in patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor refractory non-small cell lung cancer.
“Ovarian cancer is a killer disease with a pressing need for better therapies. There are no oncolytic viruses or check point inhibitors approved for use in that indication. The first US patient dosed is a significant milestone as we strive to make a difference using our armed oncolytic viruses in this difficult to treat disease. It’s a pleasure to work with the prestigious Mayo Clinic to deliver such innovation with impact. We are investing in our own US operations and opening US trial sites by the end of the year, as we advance towards Phase 2 trials,” says TILT Biotherapeutics’ CEO, Akseli Hemminki.
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