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HOOKIPA Phase 1 HB-200 data show unprecedented T cell response, favorable tolerability, and preliminary efficacy as monotherapy for advanced HPV16+ cancers
NEW YORK and VIENNA, Austria, June 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: HOOK, ‘HOOKIPA’), a company developing a new class of immunotherapeutics based on its proprietary arenavirus platform, today reported positive Phase 1 data from its ongoing Phase 1/2 study (NCT04180215) of HB-200 for the treatment of advanced Human Papillomavirus 16-positive (HPV16+) cancers. Data presented as an oral presentation (abstract #2502) at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting showed outstanding T cell responses, preliminary efficacy as a monotherapy in heavily pretreated patients who progressed on standard of care, including checkpoint inhibitors, and favorable tolerability. The company also announced translational data suggesting a relationship between T cell response and potential clinical efficacy. The company will host an investor event today at 6:30pm EDT. “Our early Phase 1 HB-200 data provide compelling clinical evidence of the potential of our versatile arenaviral platform to introduce a new class of immunotherapeutics that can generate an unprecedented T cell response to the desired cancer target,” said Joern Aldag, Chief Executive Officer at HOOKIPA. “We’re in dose escalation phase in a group of heavily pre-treated HPV16+ cancer patients, so we’re thrilled to see response rates with HB-201 monotherapy in head and neck cancer patients that one would expect only in earlier lines of therapy. Moreover, initial clinical biopsy data validate the proof of mechanism, highlighting the potential for our technology to address unmet needs across various cancers. We’re excited to share further data as the HPV16+ cancer trial continues, and we look forward to initiating registration-enabling studies in early 2022.” Up to the March 31 cut-off date, 38 patients with metastatic HPV16+ tumors had received HB-200 therapy: 14 received HB-201 intravenously every three weeks, 8 received alternating HB-201/HB-202 intravenously every three weeks, and 16 received other regimens. Most of the patients (32) have squamous cell head and neck tumors; patients with other tumor types included three with cervical, one with vaginal, one with anal, and one with penile. Participants received a median of three prior therapies (ranging from one to 10), and 82 percent (31 participants) had progressed on a checkpoint inhibitor regimen. Seventy-nine percent had baseline distant metastasis, underscoring the difficult-to-treat patient population. Immunogenicity results At baseline, all patients had nearly undetectable levels of tumor-specific T cells. Within two weeks of a single dose of HB-200, all patients showed increased tumor-specific CD8+ T cell levels; all responses well exceeded the lower limit of quantification, and many approached the upper limit of quantification. Importantly, these results are based on direct ELISpot without ex vivo expansion of T cells, highlighting the magnitude of T cell response generated by HB-200 therapy. (Ex vivo expansion is often used to amplify responses otherwise not measurable). Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis showed HB-200 therapy induced outstanding tumor-specific CD8+ T cell responses, including an average of 6 percent and up to 40 percent of the circulating T cell pool. (Of note, the latter was observed after alternating HB-201/HB-202 administration.) While there is no established threshold, a level of mid-single digit percentage, such as 5 percent, is a strong indicator of response. Both findings are consistent with pre-clinical observations, highlighting the potential of HOOKIPA’s proprietary arenaviral platform to deliver a new class of immunotherapeutics. The data are from the ongoing Phase 1 dose escalation; the recommended Phase 2 dose for HB-200 therapy has yet not been reached. Translational results Preliminary efficacy results Of the 15 patients, 93 percent (14/15 patients) had arget lesion control, including 53 percent (8/15 patients) with target lesion reduction. Two of the 14 patients progressed at other sites, resulting in an overall disease control rate of 80 percent (12/15 patients). In particular, HB-201 monotherapy demonstrated an 18 percent overall response rate and an ongoing 3.45-month median progression-free survival (PFS). These results are particularly notable given the heavily pre-treated population (median of 3 prior treatments) and the historical lack of clinical response of active immunization therapies as monotherapies. In addition, HB-201 showed a 73 percent (8/11 patients) disease control rate, with two partial responses and six patients with stable disease, including four with stable disease for more than 16 weeks. Preliminary data on HB-201/HB-202 showed a disease control rate of 100 percent (4/4 patients). Safety results “Treatment options for patients with advanced HPV16+ cancers are limited, and there is no established standard of care following checkpoint inhibitor use,” said Alan L. Ho, M.D., Ph.D., a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a trial investigator. “Response rates are expected to decline with subsequent lines of therapy, so it’s encouraging to see an active immunization therapy, like HB-201 monotherapy, result in objective responses in heavily pre-treated patients. In addition, the unprecedented levels of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells induced by HB-201/HB-202 are promising and support the potential to convert immunogenicity into clinical efficacy.” Investor Event To participate by phone, dial +1 (929) 205 6099 (US) or +44 330 088 5830 (International), webinar ID: 882 5139 3861# and press *9 when prompted to ask a question. The webcast and the presentation will be available within the Investors & Media section of HOOKIPA’s website at https://ir.hookipapharma.com/events. A recording of the event will be available for 30 days. About HB-201/HB-202 About the trial (NCT04180215) The trial is evaluating HB-201 as a monotherapy, as an alternating 2-vector therapy with HB-202, and in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor. Participants receive HB-201/HB-202 intravenously or, for patients with an accessible lesion, the first dose can be delivered via intratumoral injection followed by intravenous dosing. Dosing every three weeks and every two weeks is being explored, as well as different dose levels. Enrollment is ongoing and HOOKIPA expects to share additional clinical, translational and biomarker data at upcoming medical conferences. About Human Papillomavirus The majority of these cancers are caused by the HPV serotype 16. Most infections with HPV are cleared from the body with no lasting consequences. However, in some cases, HPV DNA becomes integrated into chromosomal DNA. When host cells take up this DNA, they express the HPV E6 and E7 proteins. This uptake can potentially lead to cancer since expression of these proteins leads to alterations in cell cycle control, which in turn predisposes these cells to become cancerous. About HOOKIPA HOOKIPA is developing a broad pipeline of potential first-in-class arenaviral immunotherapies in oncology and infectious disease. We are leveraging our proprietary, versatile platform to engineer arenaviral therapeutics that induce robust antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and pathogen-neutralizing antibodies to a broad range of self and non-self antigens, including viral antigens, tumor-associated antigens and neoantigens. Our immunotherapies are designed to use either non-replicating or replicating viral vectors based on the target disease, with the potential to induce CD8+ T cell response levels previously not achieved by other immunotherapy approaches. HOOKIPA’s pipeline include three ongoing clinical trials in Human Papilloma Virus 16-positive cancers and Cytomegalovirus, as well as preclinical research in prostate cancer, HIV and Hepatitis B. The latter two are in collaboration with Gilead Sciences, Inc. Find out more about HOOKIPA online at www.hookipapharma.com. 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