NexImmune Announces IND Clearance by the US FDA for NEXI-003 for the Treatment of HPV-Related Cancers
First IND for NexImmune’s AIM nanoparticle platform in solid tumors
IND clearance enables commencement of a clinical trial to evaluate NEXI-003, an autologous antigen-specific T cell product (CD3+/CD4-), in patients with relapsed or refractory human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers
GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NexImmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: NEXI), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a novel approach to immunotherapy designed to orchestrate a targeted immune response by directing the function of antigen-specific T cells, has received IND clearance for the Company’s first cellular therapy product candidate addressing solid tumors. NEXI-003, an autologous antigen-specific T cell product (CD3+/CD4-), is being developed for patients with relapsed or refractory human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers.
Kristi Jones, NexImmune’s CEO, commented, “The FDA clearance of our third IND marks another significant milestone for NexImmune and demonstrates our team’s continued focus and commitment to bringing novel therapies to patients with significant unmet need. NEXI-003 is our third T cell therapy and first candidate to address solid tumors. NEXI-003 consists of T cell populations simultaneously directed against multiple HPV tumor-relevant antigen targets. The T cells in our product candidate will consist of T cell subtypes critical to both potential anti-tumor activity and a phenotype intended to produce long-term immunologic memory required for durable responses.”
The Phase 1 trial will enroll patients at multiple clinical sites across the United States. The proposed study is a two-part, multicenter, open-label, dose-finding, first-in-human (FIH) study to characterize the safety and clinical activity of NexImmune’s HPV tumor-relevant antigen-specific CD8+ T cell product candidate (NEXI-003) in patients with relapsed or refractory locally advanced or metastatic HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers (with confirmed histopathology detection of HPV-16 and/or HPV-18 expression), who have received at least 1 prior regimen of standard therapy according to local standard of care guidance(s). The dose escalation phase will consist of multiple safety cohorts investigating increasing doses of NEXI-003 followed by an expansion phase that will enroll 24 to 36 patients overall, depending on the number of dose escalations. All patients will be followed for at least one year. Following initial data and after the recommended Phase 2 dose has been confirmed, NexImmune plans to expand the NEXI-003 development program to include other HPV related malignancies and evaluate potential SOC combination options across the patient populations.
About HPV-Related Cancers
Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers are common epithelial malignancies that account for approximately 5% of all cancers globally. These cancers cause an estimated 12,500 deaths each year in the United States and more than 300,000 deaths each year throughout the world. Histologically, this family of cancers consists of squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas that occur in various anatomical sites including the oropharynx, uterine cervix, anus, vagina, vulva and penis. The high-risk HPV subtypes are most commonly HPV-16 and HPV-18. Malignant transformation results through the activation of the expression of the E6 and E7 HPV oncogenes, which inhibit the tumor suppressors p53 and Rb. These oncoproteins also inhibit apoptosis of tumor cells, deregulate the cell cycle, result in the accumulation of genetic instability, promote angiogenesis and facilitate the invasiveness and metastatic spread of cancerous cells.
About NexImmune
NexImmune is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a novel approach to immunotherapy designed to employ the body’s own T cells to generate a specific, potent, and durable immune response. The backbone of NexImmune’s approach is a proprietary Artificial Immune Modulation (AIM™) nanoparticle technology platform. The AIM technology enables NexImmune to construct nanoparticles that function as synthetic dendritic cells capable of directing a specific T cell-mediated immune response. AIM constructed nanoparticles employ natural biology to engage, activate and expand endogenous T cells in ways that combine anti-tumor attributes of antigen-specific precision, potency and long-term persistence with reduced potential for off-target toxicities.
NexImmune’s two lead programs, NEXI-001 and NEXI-002, are in Phase 1/2 clinical trials for the treatment of relapsed AML after allogeneic stem cell transplantation and multiple myeloma refractory to at least three prior lines of therapy, respective
