Provectus Biopharmaceuticals Inc (PVCT)

[NicoleMarie]

Provectus Biopharmaceuticals Amends Protocol for Phase 3 Study of PV-10 in Treatment of Locally Advanced Cutaneous Melanoma
1 hour 26 minutes ago - DJNF
Protocol Amended to Reflect Current and Evolving Standard of Care and Applicable Patient Population

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 16, 2016--

Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE MKT:PVCT, www.pvct.com), a clinical-stage oncology and dermatology biopharmaceutical company ("Provectus" or "The Company"), today announced that the protocol for its phase 3 clinical trial for PV-10 as an investigational treatment for melanoma has been amended to reflect current and evolving standards of care and applicable patient population for a global study in melanoma.

Major amendments to the protocol include the addition of talimogene laherparepvec (Imlygic(TM) ) as an option for use as comparator. The amended protocol also extends eligibility to include Stage IV M1a patients having no active nodal or distant cutaneous or subcutaneous metastatic disease. These patients have disease characteristics and prognosis similar to that of the Stage IIIB and IIIC patients that initially defined the study patient population.

In addition, the updated protocol clarifies eligibility for patients not having access to immune checkpoint inhibitors due to standard of care and those not having access to targeted therapy due to standard of care, as well as inclusion of patients who have failed targeted therapy. In the latter case, patients who have failed targeted therapy but meet study eligibility criteria have similar disease manifestations to the remaining study population but have limited treatment options.

Dr. Eric Wachter, CTO of Provectus, said, "These kinds of amendments are commonplace in phase 3 studies and serve to fine-tune the patient population and study procedures to match changing care standards for a large global study. They are the direct result of current and emerging options for these patients and have been developed with extensive input from global leading melanoma investigators. In particular, the most obvious amendment addresses approval in late October of Imlygic by the FDA as the first and only oncolytic viral therapy. As we implement the amended protocol we will assess potential impact on study timelines."

For further information about the study, please visit https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02288897.