Vergent Bioscience Data in Annals of Thoracic Surgery Show VGT-309 Aids Lung Tumor Visualization

MINNEAPOLIS--Vergent Bioscience, a biotechnology company in the clinical phase, has announced promising data for its investigational imaging agent, VGT-309, as published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. These findings reveal that VGT-309 enhances the ability of surgeons to detect hard-to-find and previously undetected lung tumors during surgical procedures. The data corroborate previous clinical trial outcomes, suggesting that VGT-309 could help ensure comprehensive removal of tumor tissue, particularly during minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgeries.

John Santini, Ph.D., president and CEO of Vergent Bioscience, emphasized the growing necessity for improved visualization in lung cancer surgeries due to the increasing use of minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques. Santini expressed optimism that VGT-309 could address current visualization challenges, thereby optimizing surgical outcomes for both physicians and patients.

The efficacy of VGT-309 was evaluated in a Phase 2 study involving 40 patients with suspected or confirmed lung cancer who were eligible for surgical intervention. The primary aim was to assess the frequency of clinically significant events, defined as the identification of lesions not detected by standard methods, the discovery of synchronous and hidden cancers, and the identification of inadequate surgical margins. Each patient received an intravenous infusion of VGT-309 before surgery. Surgeons first attempted to locate the target lesion using traditional techniques, followed by visualization with a near infrared (NIR) endoscope. Pathological assessment confirmed that VGT-309 identified clinically significant events in 42.5% of the cases.

VGT-309, combined with NIR fluorescence imaging, successfully visualized a variety of primary and metastatic tumors, including adenocarcinoma in situ, invasive adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, colorectal cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, sarcomas, and squamous cell carcinoma. The agent demonstrated a favorable safety profile with no infusion reactions or serious adverse events related to the drug.

Dr. Sunil Singhal, chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and senior author of the study, noted that minimally invasive surgery often constrains the surgeon's ability to see and feel the tumor, increasing the risk of leaving tumor tissue behind. The study’s results reinforce the potential of VGT-309 to significantly benefit both surgeons and patients by improving tumor visualization during these procedures.

Vergent Bioscience is presently conducting the multicenter Phase 2 VISUALIZE study to further assess VGT-309’s efficacy. The study, which is enrolling 100 patients across six sites in the United States and Australia, is anticipated to conclude by the end of 2024.

VGT-309 is a fluorescent imaging agent intended to enhance tumor visualization during various surgical procedures. It is administered intravenously prior to surgery and targets cathepsins, proteases that are commonly overexpressed in solid tumors. The imaging component, near infrared (NIR) dye indocyanine green (ICG), is compatible with all commercially available NIR imaging systems, making it a suitable choice for minimizing background autofluorescence.

Vergent Bioscience, based in Minneapolis, MN, is focused on improving the visibility of tumors during minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgeries. Their lead compound, VGT-309, aims to allow surgeons to detect difficult-to-find or previously undetected tumors in real-time, ensuring all tumor tissue is removed. While initially targeting lung cancer, VGT-309 has the potential for broader applications across various solid tumors.

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