INOVIO, a biotechnology company specializing in DNA medicines for HPV-associated diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases, recently disclosed a clinical collaboration and supply agreement with Coherus BioSciences. The partnership aims to assess the potential treatment efficacy of the combination of INO-3112 and LOQTORZI™ (toripalimab-tpzi) for patients with locoregionally advanced, high-risk, HPV16/18 positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), commonly referred to as throat cancer.

According to the terms of the agreement, Coherus will supply LOQTORZI™ for a Phase 3 clinical trial, pending alignment with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on study design. LOQTORZI™ is a PD-1 inhibitor recently approved by the FDA for treating recurrent locally advanced/metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (R/P NPC).

Dr. Glenn Hanna, Director of the Center for Cancer Therapeutic Innovation, expressed optimism about the combination of INO-3112 with a PD-1 inhibitor, citing strong rationale from existing trial data. The intended trial aims to leverage the immune system to combat HPV-related head and neck cancer.

Dr. Jacqueline Shea, President and CEO of INOVIO, highlighted the unique potential of merging their DNA medicines platform with a proven PD-1 inhibitor, aiming to enhance clinical outcomes for patients. Dr. Rosh Dias, Chief Medical Officer at Coherus, emphasized the alignment of the partnership with their strategic vision to investigate toripalimab across various tumor types to improve patient benefits.

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, also known as throat cancer, is typically linked to high-risk HPV subtypes. The incidence of HPV-positive OPSCC is rising, making it the most common HPV-related cancer in the U.S. INO-3112 is a DNA medicine candidate targeting HPV 16/18, while LOQTORZI™ is a next-generation anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody.

The collaboration seeks to explore the combination's efficacy in earlier-stage disease, where treatment options are more limited, holding promise for patients with HPV-related OPSCC.

 

Source: prnewswire.com

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