Genprex Provides Update on Development of its Oncoprex Immunogene Therapy in Combination with Immunotherapy for Non-Small Cel...
01 July 2019 - 10:30PM
Business Wire
Genprex, Inc. (NASDAQ: GNPX), a clinical stage gene therapy
company, today provided an update on development of its lead drug
candidate, Oncoprex™ immunogene therapy, in combination with
immunotherapy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer
(NSCLC).
In July 2018, the company entered a Sponsored Research Agreement
with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (“MD
Anderson”) to fund a research study entitled, “A Novel Therapeutic
Approach for the Treatment of Cancer Using a Combination of the
Multifactorial Tumor Suppressor Gene TUSC2 and Immunotherapy.” The
TUSC2 gene is the active agent in Genprex’s Oncoprex immunogene
therapy. The study was budgeted to cost $2.03 million.
The study aimed to develop a novel therapeutic approach for the
treatment of cancer using a combination of the tumor suppressor
gene TUSC2 and immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint
inhibitors and anti-PD1 and/or anti-CTLA-4 antibodies. A specific
objective of the study was to validate therapeutic efficacy of the
TUSC2 and immune checkpoint blockade combination in humanized
cancer mouse models. This milestone was completed with positive
results presented in a poster by Genprex’s collaborators from MD
Anderson at the American Association of Cancer Research Meeting in
April 2019, which is available on the company’s website.
Research under the Sponsored Research Agreement is continuing.
Further aims of the research include evaluating TUSC2 in
combination with immunostimulatory adjuvants and targeted small
molecule drugs. Additional goals of the study also include
identification of biomarkers that predict response to
TUSC2-immunotherapy combinations
Based on data from this study and data from prior clinical and
pre-clinical studies, Genprex is working with its Scientific
Advisory Board and outside consultants to design a clinical trial
for the study of Oncoprex in combination with a checkpoint
inhibitor for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, with the
goal of being in a position to enroll patients in the first quarter
of 2020.
“Recent studies have shown that less than half of cancer
patients qualify for approved immunotherapies based on the
patient’s PD-1 or PD-L1 protein expression level,” said Julien
Pham, President and Chief Operating Officer of Genprex. “Current
immunotherapy treatment is only benefitting a small number of
cancer patients. We are working to fill this gap by combining our
lead drug candidate with approved immunotherapies to give patients
more treatment options. The preclinical studies have shown
encouraging data that this combination could be a viable treatment
option for late-stage non-small cell lung cancer.”
About Genprex, Inc.
Genprex, Inc. is a clinical stage gene therapy company
developing potentially life-changing technologies for cancer
patients, based upon a unique proprietary technology platform,
including Genprex’s initial product candidate, Oncoprex™ immunogene
therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Genprex’s platform
technologies are designed to administer cancer fighting genes by
encapsulating them into nanoscale hollow spheres called
nanovesicles, which are then administered intravenously and taken
up by tumor cells where they express proteins that are missing or
found in low quantities. Oncoprex has a multimodal mechanism of
action whereby it interrupts cell signaling pathways that cause
replication and proliferation of cancer cells, re-establishes
pathways for apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in cancer cells,
and modulates the immune response against cancer cells. Oncoprex
has also been shown to block mechanisms that create drug
resistance. Visit the company’s web site at www.genprex.com or
follow Genprex on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters
that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements”
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such
statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding
the effects of Oncoprex, and of Oncoprex combined with
immunotherapies, on cancer and the design and timing of our
proposed clinical trials. Risks that contribute to the uncertain
nature of the forward-looking statements include risks relating to
the effects of Oncoprex, alone and in combination with
immunotherapies, and risks relating to our ability to design,
conduct and enroll patients in our proposed clinical trials. Other
risks and uncertainties associated with Genprex and its lead
product candidate Oncoprex are described more fully under the
caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our filings and reports
with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. All
forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak
only as of the date on which they were made. We undertake no
obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur
or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were
made.
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Genprex, Inc. (877) 774-GNPX (4679)
Investor Relations GNPX Investor Relations (877) 774-GNPX
(4679) ext. #2 investors@genprex.com
Media Contact Genprex Media Relations Kalyn Dabbs (877)
774-GNPX (4679) ext. #3 media@genprex.com
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