Phase 1/2 Trial: IMUNON's IMNN-001 with Bevacizumab for Advanced Ovarian Cancer

IMUNON, a company at the forefront of clinical-stage drug development, is making strides in the field of non-viral DNA-mediated immunotherapy and next-generation vaccines. Their latest initiative involves a Phase 1/2 clinical trial that has garnered the participation of the esteemed Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, joining MD Anderson Cancer Center. The trial is set to assess the efficacy of IMUNON's IMNN-001 in tandem with bevacizumab for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer.

The company's President and CEO, Dr. Corinne Le Goff, expressed enthusiasm over the collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering, highlighting the potential of the combined therapy based on promising preclinical results. The IMNN-001 immunotherapy is currently under evaluation in the Phase 2 OVATION 2 Study, focusing on localized advanced ovarian cancer treatment.

The clinical trial is structured to include 50 patients diagnosed with Stage III/IV advanced ovarian cancer. They will be randomly assigned to either receive standard chemotherapy plus bevacizumab or the same treatment augmented with IMNN-001. The primary goal of the trial is to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) through second-look laparoscopy (SLL), with progression-free survival (PFS) serving as a secondary endpoint.

Dr. Amir Jazaeri, a leading figure in Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, will spearhead the trial. Additionally, the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT will contribute to the trial by conducting translational analyses using samples and animal models of ovarian cancer MRD.

Ovarian cancer, particularly the epithelial variety, is a significant health concern, being the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States. With the majority of cases diagnosed at advanced stages, there is an urgent need for innovative treatments that can improve survival rates.

IMUNON's IMNN-001 is a cutting-edge IL-12 DNA plasmid vector, encapsulated in a nanoparticle delivery system designed to enable persistent, local secretion of the IL-12 protein, a potent inducer of anticancer immunity. The company has previously reported positive safety and Phase 1 results for IMNN-001, both as a monotherapy and in combination with other treatments.

IMUNON is dedicated to advancing a diverse portfolio of treatments that leverage the body's natural defense mechanisms. Their non-viral DNA technology is being developed across four distinct modalities, each targeting different aspects of disease treatment and prevention.

The company's lead clinical program, IMNN-001, is currently in Phase 2 development for the localized treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. It works by stimulating the body to produce robust levels of cancer-fighting molecules at the tumor site. IMUNON is also exploring the development of a COVID-19 booster vaccine and treatments for other challenging conditions, aiming to push the boundaries of plasmid DNA technology to better serve patients in need.