TILT Biotherapeutics Shares TILT-123 Ovarian Cancer Data at ASCO 2024

HELSINKI, Finland, May 28, 2024 – TILT Biotherapeutics, a biotechnology firm specializing in cancer immunotherapies, is set to present two significant research abstracts at the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting 2024. These abstracts, numbered 5562 and 2658, highlight the potential of TILT-123 in treating ovarian cancer and its viability as an intravenous therapy, respectively.

Abstract 5562 details a Phase I clinical trial evaluating TILT-123 in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 drug, KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), for patients with platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian cancer. This study demonstrated that the combination is safe and potentially effective in controlling the disease in this hard-to-treat group. Out of 15 patients enrolled, 14 were assessable for treatment response, with 64.3% showing disease control. Biological sample analyses confirmed the presence of TILT-123 and T cell induction in both treated and untreated lesions. Furthermore, some patients experienced extended survival times, with median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) recorded at 105 and 280 days respectively. Among patients showing stable disease by day 92, median PFS and OS were 174 and 293 days.

Abstract 2658 explores the development of TILT-123 as an intravenous therapy. Data from three Phase I trials revealed that administering TILT-123 via IV leads to systemic tumor targeting and an accumulation of lymphocytes at tumor sites. The virus persisted in the bloodstream for up to seven days, and tumor transduction was observed in 75% of patients by day 8 post-administration. This suggests that TILT-123 can effectively reach and impact tumors without direct injection.

Dr. Akseli Hemminki, TILT Biotherapeutics’ founder and CEO, expressed optimism about the findings, saying, “The data presented at ASCO 2024 validates our ongoing clinical trials for patients with resistant or refractory ovarian cancer who have limited treatment options.”

TILT-123 is an oncolytic adenovirus engineered with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) to enhance T-cell therapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors or adoptive cell transfer. TILT’s approach involves utilizing oncolytic viruses to selectively target and destroy cancer cells while activating immune responses against tumors.

Approximately fifty patients have been treated with TILT-123 in four international trials, with initial efficacy responses observed in some patients. TILT Biotherapeutics has established collaborations with industry leaders like MSD (Merck & Co., Inc.) to investigate TILT-123 in combination with KEYTRUDA® for ovarian cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Additionally, the company is working with Merck KGaA to explore the combination of TILT-123 and avelumab.

Founded as a spin-out from the University of Helsinki, TILT Biotherapeutics is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, with an office in Boston. The company has received funding from multiple sources, including Lifeline Ventures, Finnish Industry Investment (TESI), angel investors, Business Finland, the European Innovation Council, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

In summary, TILT Biotherapeutics is advancing the frontiers of cancer treatment with TILT-123, showcasing significant potential for systemic therapy application. The data to be presented at ASCO 2024 underscores the promising future of TILT-123 in providing new hope for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.

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