Not sure what happened with Her2 but we know it works extremely well in canines. Perhaps choosing children for the trial was too tough as they may not tolerate the dosage. Also, there is fierce competition for cancers in children and lots of Her2 options and the data may have been good but not able to compete in a highly competitive cancer world.
Or perhaps it was just too stressful working with sick children with this kind of treatment or the number of n=18 was just not enough to draw a conclusion kind of like the durvalumab data that is just messy even though there is a complete response because of small n number.
More than likely, it was just too expensive to enter this competitive world and best to stick with their niche with cervical and anal.
The cervical data is impressive and beats best treatment options and the anal data is really incredible with nearly 90% COMPLETE response. So, even if the Lm technology only works with HPV related cancers (and that is highly unlikely), with 16,000 cases a year, they will have a blockbuster drug. Lets say 200k per year and 8,000 patients = 1.6 billion in revenue. So with such great data why not stick with advancing what works especially with DUAL and checkpoint inhibitors, which will make the data even better.
Now my worry is that the Her2 marker may be indicative that the Lm technology may not work with NEO or HOT but I don't know enough to draw any hypotheses about science in this realm. Maybe some insight here?? we know Her2 works awesome in canines and I remember hearing a scientist say Her2 works very similar in humans.
Now my guess is that a partner is definitely close for anal cancer. With data like that, I think big Pharma has taken notice and also note that they have not made any next phase plans (to my knowledge). Why wouldn't they be all over phase II with that kind of data if their goal was to "go it alone". They would be chomping at the bit to get this going. I think it because a partner is in the works and being finalized. The data was unbelievable don't forget! 90% complete response - big Pharma has taken note
