Biotech Firms Advancing Pancreatic Cancer Care and Detection

Recent advancements in the field of oncology have sparked hope in the battle against pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of the disease. A recent study has indicated that a blood test can detect early-stage pancreatic cancer with an accuracy of 97%. Early detection is crucial, as up to 10% of patients diagnosed early become disease-free after treatment, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

In 2024, it is estimated by the American Cancer Society that approximately 66,440 individuals in the USA will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, with about 51,750 expected to succumb to the disease. Amidst these alarming statistics, several biotech companies are making promising strides in developing new treatments. Companies like Oncolytics Biotech Inc., Candel Therapeutics, Inc., ABVC BioPharma, Inc., CytomX Therapeutics, Inc., and Amgen Inc. are at the forefront of these efforts.

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. is developing pelareorep, an intravenously delivered immunotherapeutic agent, which is showing promise in treating multiple cancers, including breast and pancreatic cancer. In 2022, pelareorep was granted Fast Track Designation by the FDA for treating pancreatic cancer. Recently, Oncolytics announced a preliminary collaboration with the Global Coalition for Adaptive Research (GCAR) to evaluate pelareorep in treating first-line metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This collaboration aims to expedite the development of pelareorep by reducing trial costs and time, potentially delivering effective treatment sooner.

Oncolytics is also advancing pelareorep in combination with modified FOLFIRINOX and Tecentriq in its ongoing GOBLET study. This effort is supported by a $5 million Therapeutic Accelerator Award from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). Positive results from this combination could significantly enhance Oncolytics' approach to combating pancreatic cancer, potentially leading to a registration-enabling study.

Candel Therapeutics, Inc. has received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for its multimodal biological candidate, CAN-2409, aimed at treating pancreatic cancer. This follows promising data from a phase 2 clinical trial showing CAN-2409, when combined with standard care, more than doubled median overall survival compared to standard care alone. CAN-2409's development has also been recognized with Fast Track Designation.

ABVC BioPharma, Inc. has entered a definitive agreement with OncoX BioPharma, Inc. to collaborate on combination therapy for pancreatic cancer. ABVC will receive a license fee of $12.5 million from OncoX. This collaboration aims to leverage ABVC's portfolio of therapies, including ABV-1703, which uses glucan extracted from maitake mushrooms. This partnership exemplifies ABVC's and OncoX's commitment to advancing oncology and improving patient outcomes.

CytomX Therapeutics, Inc., in collaboration with Amgen Inc., is developing CX-904, a bispecific PROBODY candidate designed to target cancer cells and engage T-cells. Initial data from a Phase 1a dose escalation study of CX-904 has shown a favorable safety profile and promising efficacy, with a significant portion of patients demonstrating disease control and partial responses. These results build on CytomX's innovative approach to developing safer, more effective therapies.

These developments highlight the ongoing efforts in the biotech industry to find better treatments for pancreatic cancer. Collaborative efforts among companies and supportive regulatory frameworks are paving the way for potentially life-saving treatments, bringing hope to patients and their families.