Combining 177Lu-PNT6555 with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy resulted in a significantly increased survival benefit compared to independent treatments in an anti-PD-1 resistant preclinical tumor model
177Lu-PNT6555, the lead of the PNT2004 pan-cancer fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP-α) targeted program, is currently in a phase 1 trial
INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- POINT Biopharma Global Inc. (NASDAQ: PNT) (the “Company” or “POINT”), a company accelerating the discovery, development, and global access to life-changing radiopharmaceuticals, today released new preclinical data from the Company’s pan-cancer fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP-α) targeted program, PNT2004.
The preclinical study focused on assessing the potential of the lead candidate in the PNT2004 clinical program, 177Lu-PNT6555, in combination with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. The CT26-mFAP tumor model used expresses low levels of FAP, grows aggressively, and is insensitive to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. The study found that combination treatment with 177Lu-PNT6555 and anti-PD-1 resulted in a significant survival benefit, as compared to either treatment independently. The new preclinical data from the study can be found in an updated investor presentation available on the investors section of the Company’s website.
“While the initial clinical development of 177Lu-PNT6555 has focused on its application as a monotherapy, we have always held optimism for its broad potential in combination therapies.” said Joe McCann, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of POINT Biopharma. “Radioligand therapy could offer a synergistic mechanism of action with multiple existing therapeutic classes, expanding their applicability or effectiveness. For example, RLT combined with checkpoint blockade could unleash an immune attack against tumors that are otherwise insensitive to immunotherapy, or RLT combined with DNA repair/cell cycle inhibitors could amplify DNA damage to increase cell death. As a pan-cancer program, the 177Lu-PNT6555 lead presents significant opportunities for both monotherapy and combination trials in a variety of indications of high unmet need. We look forward to providing more data in the coming months on both our FAP program as well as our other exciting next generation radioligand programs.”
177Lu-PNT6555, the lead of the PNT2004 program, is currently in the phase 1 FRONTIER trial with cohort 1 underway and three clinical sites open. Cohort 2 in FRONTIER is expected to commence in Q1 2023. Preclinical activities are currently underway, including additional studies in syngeneic and PDX models, and will be used to inform phase 2 opportunities. CMC and clinical teams are actively expanding access to gallium-68 imaging agent, technology transfers of imaging agent to multiple sites to expand phase 1 recruitment, and plans for phase 2 are underway.
More information about 177Lu-PNT6555, including the new preclinical data from the study, can be found in an updated investor presentation available on the investors section of the Company’s website at https://www.pointbiopharma.com/investors.
About the FRONTIER Trial
The FAPi Radioligand OpeN-Label, Phase 1 Study to Evaluate Safety, Tolerability, and DosImetry of [Lu-177]-PNT6555; A Dose Escalation Study for TReatment of Patients with Select Solid Tumors (FRONTIER) trial is an open-label, phase 1 trial to evaluate safety, tolerability, and dosimetry of 177Lu-PNT6555 and 68Ga-PNT6555, the lead assets of the PNT2004 program. The phase 1 clinical trial commenced in summer 2022 in Canada and uses a 68Ga-based PNT6555 molecular imaging agent to select patients to receive a no-carrier-added (n.c.a.) 177Lu-based PNT6555 therapeutic agent. The phase 1 clinical protocol will evaluate PNT6555 in approximately 30 patients in five FAP-avid cancer indications: colorectal, pancreatic, esophageal, melanoma, and soft tissue sarcoma.
About POINT Biopharma Global Inc.
POINT Biopharma Global Inc. is a globally focused radiopharmaceutical company building a platform for the clinical development and commercialization of radioligands that fight cancer. POINT aims to transform precision medicine by combining a portfolio of radiopharmaceutical assets, a seasoned management team, an industry-leading pipeline, in-house manufacturing capabilities, and secured supply for rare medical isotopes like actinium-225 (225Ac) and lutetium-177 (177Lu). POINT’s active clinical trials include FRONTIER, the phase 1 trial for PNT2004, a pan-cancer program targeting fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP-α), and SPLASH, the phase 3 trial for PNT2002 for people with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) after second-line hormonal treatment. More information about the SPLASH trial can be found at https://www.splashtrial.com/. Learn more about POINT Biopharma Global Inc. at https://www.pointbiopharma.com/.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this press release, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our projections of the future, about which we cannot be certain. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential attributes and benefits of POINT’s product candidates and the format and timing of POINT’s product development activities and clinical trials. We cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this press release will prove to be accurate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results, including, among others, our ability to obtain funding for our operations, our ability to maintain the license agreements underlying our product candidates, competition, the ability of POINT to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees, the impact of COVID-19 on POINT’s business, the ability to maintain the listing of POINT’s common stock on the NASDAQ, changes in applicable laws or regulations, the possibility that POINT may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors, and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in POINT's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 25, 2022 and subsequent filings with the SEC. Most of these factors are outside of POINT’s control and are difficult to predict. Furthermore, if the forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or at all. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent our views as of the date of this press release. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we have no current intention of doing so except to the extent required by applicable law. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
Investor Relations Contact:
Daniel Pearlstein
Associate Director, Corporate Strategy
investors@pointbiopharma.com
