ImPact Biotech Treats First Patient in Padeliporfin VTP Phase 1 Trial for Advanced Unresectable PDAC

ImPact Biotech, a clinical-stage company specializing in oncology, has announced a significant milestone in the pursuit of innovative cancer treatments. The company is advancing its investigation into Padeliporfin vascular targeted photodynamic (VTP) therapy, aiming to address solid tumors, with particular focus on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Recently, at the UCI Irvine Medical Center, the first patient in a Phase 1 trial was treated with Padeliporfin VTP, marking a promising advancement in dealing with locally advanced and initially unresectable PDAC.

This trial is crucial, as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains one of the most formidable cancers to treat effectively, especially given that surgical options are often not viable due to the advanced state of the disease. The patient, initially deemed ineligible for surgical intervention, underwent a single course of Padeliporfin VTP treatment. Following this treatment, changes in the tumor enabled the previously impossible pancreaticoduodenectomy, also known as the Whipple procedure, which is a curative surgical option for pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Eyal Morag, Chief Medical Officer at ImPact Biotech, underscored the importance of this development. Highlighting the difficulty in treating PDAC, he emphasized the potential of Padeliporfin VTP to not only significantly reduce tumor size but also to enable surgical options for patients previously considered inoperable. This progress builds on findings from the ENLIGHTED study, which is focused on lower-grade cancer types, and extends the potential benefits of the therapy to more challenging cases.

The Phase 1 trial being conducted is a multicenter, open-label study designed to evaluate several aspects of the therapy, including safety and tolerability, as well as the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Padeliporfin VTP. The ultimate goal is to determine the preliminary efficacy of the treatment in converting inoperable PDAC conditions to resectable ones, allowing patients the chance for surgical intervention. Enrollment for the trial is taking place at UCI Irvine and City of Hope Medical Center, with preliminary results anticipated in the latter half of 2025.

Dr. Nadine Abi-Jaoudeh, the Principal Investigator at UCI Irvine Medical Center, expressed enthusiasm about the trial's outcomes so far. The successful conversion of an inoperable PDAC patient to a candidate for pancreaticoduodenectomy following a single treatment cycle reflects the extraordinary potential of this therapy. This achievement offers a renewed sense of hope that Padeliporfin VTP might revolutionize the approach to treating pancreatic cancer patients.

The treatment procedure involves the intravenous delivery of Padeliporfin, a photosensitizing agent, followed by laser activation through optical fibers directed precisely at the tumor site. This technique targets tumor tissue for ablation while sparing the surrounding healthy organs and tissues, potentially offering a minimally invasive therapeutic option for patients.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma represents a major challenge in oncology, with a notably low survival rate compared to other solid tumors. With only a small percentage of patients eligible for surgical resection at diagnosis, the need for advanced treatment methods is urgent. ImPact Biotech's efforts to develop Padeliporfin VTP could meet this critical unmet need, offering new avenues for treatment that could improve survival rates and quality of life for patients afflicted by this aggressive cancer type.

ImPact Biotech is committed to advancing cancer treatment through its VTP therapy platform, working in collaboration with esteemed institutions like the Weizmann Institute of Science and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The company continues to operate in multiple regions, including the EU, Israel, and the US, as it pursues groundbreaking solutions in oncology.