Phio Pharmaceuticals Adds Clinical Trial Site for PH-762 Phase 1b Study

15 July 2024

Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp., a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Marlborough, Massachusetts, has announced that the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Department of Dermatology in Pittsburgh, PA, will now be a clinical trial site for its leading product candidate, PH-762. The addition of UPMC marks a significant expansion in the company's Phase 1b study, which currently includes five locations across the United States.

The Phase 1b study, which recently received a positive safety recommendation from the Safety Monitoring Committee, is set to escalate the dose in its next phase. The study is presently enrolling patients in the second cohort. UPMC joins a prestigious roster of institutions already participating in the clinical trial, including The George Washington University-Medical Faculty Associates in Washington, D.C., Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert, Arizona, Integrity Research Clinical Associates in Delray Beach, Florida, and Centricity Research in Dublin, Ohio.

Phio Pharmaceuticals CEO Robert Bitterman expressed enthusiasm about the partnerships with these five clinical sites, noting their significant interest in immuno-oncology and their status as leading centers in skin cancer research.

PH-762, the focus of the study, is an innovative INTASYL compound that targets PD-1, a protein that suppresses T cells' ability to combat cancer cells. The Phase 1b trial is described as a non-comparative evaluation of neoadjuvant monotherapy using PH-762. This study focuses on adult patients suffering from cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, or Merkel cell carcinoma. The primary goals of the trial include assessing the safety and tolerability of intratumorally injected PH-762, evaluating the tumor response, and determining the appropriate dosage range for further studies.

Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. is dedicated to harnessing the power of its proprietary INTASYL® siRNA gene silencing technology specifically for immuno-oncology therapeutics. This technology is designed to enhance the effectiveness of immune cells in destroying tumor cells by targeting proteins that usually inhibit the body's cancer-fighting capabilities. Unlike other RNAi technologies, INTASYL does not require specialized formulations or drug delivery systems, making it a unique and promising approach in cancer treatment.

Phio Pharmaceuticals is committed to advancing its innovative treatments through rigorous clinical trials and collaborations with leading medical institutions. The company continues to focus on developing therapeutics that can significantly improve outcomes for patients suffering from various forms of cancer, particularly those involving the skin.

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