MAIA Biotechnology to Present Phase 2 Trial Data at H.C. Wainwright Global Investment Conference

MAIA Biotechnology, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in targeted immunotherapies for cancer, has announced that its Chairman and CEO, Vlad Vitoc, M.D., will be presenting at the H.C. Wainwright & Co. 26th Annual Global Investment Conference. The event will take place from September 9 to 11, 2024, in New York City. Dr. Vitoc's presentation will focus on the latest clinical data from MAIA's Phase 2 THIO-101 clinical trial involving their lead candidate, THIO, used in combination with the immune checkpoint inhibitor cemiplimab (Libtayo®) for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have not responded to two or more standard therapies.

The company has scheduled its live presentation for Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 8:00 am ET at the Lotte New York Palace in New York City. A live webcast of the presentation will be available, and participants can register for the conference on its official website. Additionally, one-on-one meetings can be requested upon registration. Presentation slides will be accessible on MAIA’s investor relations website.

THIO is a small molecule telomere-targeting anticancer agent designed to cause direct damage to telomeric DNA and induce cancer-specific immune responses. The THIO-101 clinical trial has shown promising efficacy in NSCLC, one of the most deadly tumor types. Long-term efficacy results are anticipated before the end of the year. THIO-101 represents a significant milestone as it is the first completed clinical study of a telomere-targeting agent in cancer treatment.

THIO, also known as 6-thio-dG or 6-thio-2’-deoxyguanosine, is an investigational agent aimed at NSCLC. Both telomeres and the enzyme telomerase are crucial for the survival and resistance of cancer cells to existing therapies. The modified nucleotide 6-thio-2’-deoxyguanosine (THIO) causes telomerase-dependent telomeric DNA modification and damage, leading to selective cancer cell death. THIO-induced telomeric fragments accumulate in cytosolic micronuclei and trigger both innate (cGAS/STING) and adaptive (T-cell) immune responses. Sequential treatment with THIO followed by PD-(L)1 inhibitors has shown profound and lasting tumor regression in advanced cancer models by inducing cancer-specific immune memory. THIO is being developed as a second or later line of treatment for NSCLC patients who have progressed beyond the standard-of-care regimens of existing checkpoint inhibitors.

THIO-101 is a multicenter, open-label, dose-finding Phase 2 clinical trial, the first to evaluate the anti-tumor activity of THIO when followed by PD-(L)1 inhibition. The trial tests the hypothesis that low doses of THIO administered before cemiplimab (Libtayo®) will enhance and prolong the immune response in patients with advanced NSCLC who previously did not respond or became resistant to a first-line treatment containing another checkpoint inhibitor. The trial has two main objectives: (1) to evaluate the safety and tolerability of THIO as both an anticancer agent and an immune activator, and (2) to assess the clinical efficacy of THIO using Overall Response Rate (ORR) as the primary clinical endpoint. To date, treatment with THIO followed by cemiplimab has been generally well-tolerated in a heavily pre-treated population.

MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. is focused on developing and commercializing targeted therapy and immuno-oncology drugs that offer novel mechanisms of action. Their lead program, THIO, is a potential first-in-class cancer telomere targeting agent currently in clinical development for treating NSCLC patients with telomerase-positive cancer cells. 

How to obtain the latest research advancements in the field of biopharmaceuticals?

In the Synapse database, you can keep abreast of the latest research and development advances in drugs, targets, indications, organizations, etc., anywhere and anytime, on a daily or weekly basis. Click on the image below to embark on a brand new journey of drug discovery!