Candel Therapeutics and IDEA Pharma Partner to Advance CAN-2409 Commercialization

Candel Therapeutics, Inc. has entered into a strategic commercial partnership with IDEA Pharma, a division of SAI MedPartners, to advance the commercialization of its lead candidate, CAN-2409. This collaboration is particularly significant for Candel as it follows favorable phase 3 clinical trial results for CAN-2409 in treating intermediate-to-high risk localized prostate cancer. The trial demonstrated a remarkable reduction in disease recurrence and a substantial increase in pathological complete response rate.

IDEA Pharma will play a crucial role in shaping Candel's commercial strategy for CAN-2409, offering its expertise in oncology commercialization and market strategy optimization. This partnership is designed to help Candel prepare for the Biologics License Application (BLA) submission for CAN-2409 and to further develop its pipeline across various indications. According to Paul Peter Tak, CEO of Candel, this alliance enables the company to leverage IDEA’s commercial acumen to establish a robust commercialization strategy, potentially transforming treatment options for patients upon approval.

Mike Rea, CEO of IDEA, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the promising clinical outcomes of CAN-2409 in multiple solid tumors. IDEA aims to provide Candel with the commercial expertise necessary to maximize the value of its assets while supporting the overall commercial strategy led by Candel.

The partnership with IDEA is anticipated to continue through 2026, offering Candel access to IDEA’s bespoke solution, which includes services similar to those of a chief commercial officer. This approach integrates consultancy from a cross-functional team across clinical, regulatory, and commercial disciplines to ensure smooth execution of market strategies and clinical feasibility.

CAN-2409, an off-the-shelf, replication-defective adenovirus, targets various solid tumors by delivering the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene to tumors, inducing a systemic immune response. This therapy, combined with the antiviral prodrug valacyclovir, converts into a toxic compound that destroys nearby cancer cells, potentially offering treatment for a wide range of solid tumors. The approach has shown effectiveness both as a standalone therapy and in combination with conventional treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Candel is currently conducting a phase 2a trial of CAN-2409 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and has reported positive results from its phase 3 trial in prostate cancer. Additionally, a phase 2a trial for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has shown improved survival rates with CAN-2409 treatment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track designation to CAN-2409 for PDAC, NSCLC, and localized prostate cancer. Furthermore, the therapy has received orphan drug designation for the treatment of PDAC.

Candel Therapeutics focuses on developing innovative off-the-shelf biological immunotherapies aimed at eliciting a tailored, systemic anti-tumor immune response. The company’s platforms are based on novel adenovirus and HSV gene constructs. The lead candidate from the HSV platform, CAN-3110, is undergoing a phase 1b trial for recurrent high-grade glioma, with promising interim results indicating improved survival outcomes compared to historical controls.

Candel’s enLIGHTEN™ Discovery Platform leverages human biology and advanced analytics to develop new viral immunotherapies for solid tumors, furthering its mission to help patients combat cancer with novel therapeutic strategies.