rdneum
6 days ago
CEL-SCI Receives FDA Go-Ahead for Its Confirmatory Study of Multikine in the Treatment of Head & Neck Cancer
Critical milestone achieved—the FDA accepted CEL-SCI’s selection criteria defining the Multikine target population before surgery
Selected patient population had 73% survival with Multikine vs. 45% without Multikine based on analysis of completed 928-patient Phase 3 randomized controlled trial
212-patient confirmatory study is de-risked, backed by robust efficacy and safety data from completed Phase 3 trial, the largest in advanced primary head and neck cancer
View CEL-SCI’s comprehensive report regarding the FDA’s go-ahead and the Company’s value proposition for investors here: https://cel-sci.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CEL_SCI-Report-on-FDA-Path-Forward-May-2024-FINAL.pdf
CEL-SCI Corporation (NYSE American: CVM) today announced a significantly positive outcome from its recent meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the path to approval for its first-line investigational cancer immunotherapy Multikine* (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection). Based on strong safety and efficacy data from CEL-SCI’s completed Phase 3 head and neck cancer study, the FDA indicated CEL-SCI may move forward with a confirmatory Registration Study of Multikine in newly diagnosed advanced primary head and neck cancer patients with no lymph node involvement (determined via PET scan) and with low PD-L1 tumor expression (determined via biopsy).
“Through this discussion and agreement with the FDA, we have achieved a tremendous milestone for people who are newly diagnosed with head and neck cancer. The survival benefit was so strong and clear in the target patient population that our confirmatory study needs to enroll only 212 people to confirm what was already achieved in the Phase 3 study. This gives us a clear path forward,” stated CEL-SCI CEO, Geert Kersten. “We are eager to begin the study as soon as possible.”
CEL-SCI published a report on the FDA’s agreement and Multikine’s path forward. Please click on this link https://cel-sci.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CEL_SCI-Report-on-FDA-Path-Forward-May-2024-FINAL.pdf to read the full report. Highlights include:
The FDA agreed to a 212-person confirmatory Registration Study based on the strength of the safety and survival benefit data in the selected target population from the prior 928-person Phase 3 study. The confirmatory study will be a randomized controlled trial with two arms: Multikine treatment plus standard of care versus standard of care alone. As presented at the ESMO cancer conference in October 2023, Multikine-treated patients in the selected group had a 73% 5-year survival vs a 45% 5-year survival in the control group who did not receive Multikine.
Generally, patient selection for different treatments in newly diagnosed head and neck cancer is done only after surgery. That presented CEL-SCI with a challenge, because Multikine has to be given before surgery. By analyzing Multikine's biological mechanism of action, as supported by the completed Phase 3 study, CEL-SCI developed criteria for selecting, before surgery, those patients who would have the best survival from Multikine. The FDA accepted the selection criteria and the proposed study design, which now permits CEL-SCI to enroll patients in the confirmatory study.
CEL-SCI met a very high bar set by the FDA, which requires more stringent analysis for newly-diagnosed patients than for terminal cancer patients. One regulator called these newly-diagnosed cancer patients “much more delicate” and explained that the standard for permitting a new study with these patients has to be more stringent, since they are not all expected to die.
CEL-SCI has been advised by statisticians and physicians that the confirmatory study has a high likelihood of success because a large survival benefit has already been demonstrated in the target population in the completed Phase 3 study. The much smaller confirmatory study—less than a quarter the size of the prior study—will focus on the patients who saw the greatest survival benefit when treated with Multikine.
If approved as a pre-surgical treatment, Multikine should be added to the standard of care for the target population.
The FDA also acknowledged in the meeting that there is a great unmet need in the target population for improved therapies. This is an important factor that weighs in favor of approval for Multikine.
CEL-SCI believes that its de-risked value proposition for investors presents a unique opportunity to invest in a Phase 3 oncology company with a large body of data demonstrating not only tumor responses, but also long-term survival, in the target patient population. The goal of our smaller confirmatory study is to confirm these positive results in a prospectively defined target population.
About CEL-SCI Corporation
CEL-SCI believes that boosting a patient’s immune system while it is still intact should provide the greatest possible impact on survival. Multikine is designed to help the immune system "target" the tumor at a time when the immune system is still relatively intact and thereby thought to be better able to mount an attack on the tumor. In the completed Phase 3 study, CEL-SCI studied patients who were newly diagnosed with locally advanced primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with the investigational product Multikine administered first, before they received the standard of care, which involved surgery followed by either radiation or chemoradiation. The Phase 3 study enrolled 928 patients. Our approach is unique because most other cancer immunotherapies are administered only after conventional therapies have been tried and/or failed.
After analyzing data from the Phase 3 study, we have better defined the target population for Multikine, which is locally advanced primary head and neck cancer patients with no lymph node involvement and with low PD-L1 tumor expression. In the Phase 3 study, we observed statistically significant survival in this target population, showing that Multikine cut the risk of death in half at five years vs control.
Multikine (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection) received Orphan Drug designation from the FDA for neoadjuvant therapy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (cancer) of the head and neck.
The Company has operations in Vienna, Virginia, and near/in Baltimore, Maryland.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. When used in this press release, the words "intends," "believes," "anticipated," "plans" and "expects," and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the terms, expected proceeds, use of proceeds and closing of the offering. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include an inability to duplicate the clinical results demonstrated in clinical studies, timely development of any potential products that can be shown to be safe and effective, receiving necessary regulatory approvals, difficulties in manufacturing any of the Company's potential products, inability to raise the necessary capital and the risk factors set forth from time to time in CEL-SCI's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to its report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2023. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revision to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect the events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
* Multikine (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection) is the trademark that CEL-SCI has registered for this investigational therapy. This proprietary name is subject to FDA review in connection with the Company's future anticipated regulatory submission for approval. Multikine has not been licensed or approved for sale, barter or exchange by the FDA or any other regulatory agency. Similarly, its safety or efficacy has not been established for any use.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240508140076/en/
Gavin de Windt
CEL-SCI Corporation
(703) 506-9460
drkazmd65
3 weeks ago
CEL-SCI Appoints Mario Gobbo to Its Board of Directors
9:00 AM ET 4/23/24 | BusinessWire
VIENNA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2024--
CEL-SCI Corporation (NYSE American: CVM) today announced the appointment of Mario Gobbo to its Board of Directors.
Mr. Gobbo has nearly 40 years of banking and corporate finance experience in healthcare and energy. His expertise encompasses venture capital and private equity as well as investment banking and strategic advisory services. He has served as an officer or director for a number of companies including several biotech companies: Xcovery, Ocimum/Genelogic and Helix BioPharma. Prior to that, Mr. Gobbo worked in the financial industry for Lazard LLC, Swiss Bank Corporation, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Natixis Bleichroeder, Inc., and International Finance Corporation (the private sector arm of the World Bank). Mr. Gobbo holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organic Chemistry from Harvard College, a Master of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Colorado and an MBA, a Master of Business Economics and a PhD (Management) from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
"Mr. Gobbo has a unique background where science and Wall Street interact to create new medicines. He has backed many successful healthcare ventures and he has excellent contacts in that part of finance that is interested in building medical breakthroughs into great companies. We are honored to receive his help in bringing Multikine to market as a treatment for head and neck cancer," stated CEL-SCI CEO Geert Kersten.
Mr. Gobbo commented, "This is an exciting and extremely important moment to join the board of CEL-SCI as it is on the brink of developing a product that will revolutionize certain head and neck cancer therapies and probably other deadly cancers. I am proud and honored to become part of the CEL-SCI team."
About CEL-SCI Corporation
CEL-SCI believes that boosting a patient's immune system while it is still intact should provide the greatest possible impact on survival. Multikine* (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection) is designed to help the immune system "target" the tumor at a time when the immune system is still relatively intact and thereby thought to be better able to mount an attack on the tumor. In a Phase 3 study, CEL-SCI studied patients who were newly diagnosed with locally advanced primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (oral cavity and soft-palate) with the investigational product Multikine administered first, before they received the standard of care, which involved surgery followed by either radiation or chemoradiation. The Phase 3 study enrolled 928 patients. Our approach is unique because most other cancer immunotherapies are administered only after conventional therapies have been tried and/or failed.
After analyzing data from the Phase 3 study, we have better defined the target head and neck cancer population for Multikine, which is advanced primary head and neck cancer patients with no lymph node involvement and with low PD-L1 tumor expression. In the Phase 3 study, we observed statistically significant survival data in the final target population, showing that Multikine cut the risk of death in half at five years vs control.
Multikine (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection) received Orphan Drug designation from the FDA for neoadjuvant therapy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (cancer) of the head and neck.
The Company has operations in Vienna, Virginia, and near/in Baltimore, Maryland.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. When used in this press release, the words "intends," "believes," "anticipated," "plans" and "expects," and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the terms, expected proceeds, use of proceeds and closing of the offering. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include an inability to duplicate the clinical results demonstrated in clinical studies, timely development of any potential products that can be shown to be safe and effective, receiving necessary regulatory approvals, difficulties in manufacturing any of the Company's potential products, inability to raise the necessary capital and the risk factors set forth from time to time in CEL-SCI's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to its report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2023. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revision to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect the events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
* Multikine (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection) is the trademark that CEL-SCI has registered for this investigational therapy. This proprietary name is subject to FDA review in connection with the Company's future anticipated regulatory submission for approval. Multikine has not been licensed or approved for sale, barter or exchange by the FDA or any other regulatory agency. Similarly, its safety or efficacy has not been established for any use.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240423365855/en/
CONTACT: Gavin de Windt
CEL-SCI Corporation
(703) 506-9460
SOURCE: CEL-SCI Corporation
Copyright Business Wire 2024
> Dow Jones Newswires
April 23, 2024 09:00 ET (13:00 GMT)
DocKB
3 weeks ago
From Zack's:
CVM: Parallel Engagement On Four Fronts
04/15/2024
By John Vandermosten, CFA
NYSE:CVM
READ THE FULL CVM RESEARCH REPORT
First Quarter Fiscal Year 2024 Update
CEL-SCI Corporation (NYSE:CVM) reported its fiscal 1Q:24 on February 7, 2024 with the submission of its Form 10-Q with the SEC followed by a press release. Subsequently, news was released regarding its secondary LEAPS candidate, a capital raise and the manufacturing facility. In the European Union, CEL-SCI was granted a waiver of pediatric requirements. Last December, Multikine was evaluated as a new standard of care in the UK. Health Canada advised the company to request advance consideration and, along with the FDA, was awaiting target population data. CEL-SCI has also commissioned its Multikine manufacturing facility near Baltimore, Maryland and raised additional funds in a public offering. The LEAPS vaccine program also had a day in the sun as a paper examining the candidate’s role in rheumatoid arthritis was published in Frontiers of Immunology.
Financial Review
CEL-SCI recognized no revenues for its fiscal first quarter ending December 31, 2023 and incurred operating expenses totaling $6.5 million during the three-month period. This resulted in a net loss available to common shareholders of ($6.7) million, or ($0.14) per share.
For the quarter ending December 31, 2023 versus the same prior year period:
? Expenses for research and development fell 19% to $4.4 million from $5.4 million. Lower pre-commercialization, Phase III study, and employee stock compensation costs contributed to the decrease;
? General and administrative expenses declined 6% to $2.1 million from $2.3 million on lower consulting fees and employee stock compensation expense partially offset by an increase in miscellaneous administrative expenses;
? Other non-operating items were ($26,000) compared to ($222,000) in the prior year;
? Net interest expense of ($0.2) million compared with ($0.2) million;
? Net loss totaled ($6.7) million versus ($8.0) million or ($0.14) and ($0.18) per share, respectively.
As of December 31, 2023, cash and equivalents totaled $3.2 million. Cash burn for the three-month period amounted to approximately ($5.0) million, up from last year’s ($4.7) million. In fiscal 2Q:24, CEL-SCI raised approximately $7.8 million in a common stock offering. CEL-SCI holds no debt on its balance sheet.
EMA Waives Pediatric Requirements
As part of its ongoing application process in the EU, CEL-SCI was able to obtain a waiver for conducting further studies in the pediatric population for Multikine in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN). All applications for marketing authorization for new medicines in the EU must include the results of studies as described in an agreed pediatric investigation plan, unless the medicine is exempt because of a deferral or waiver.
A pediatric waiver from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) allows a pharmaceutical company to be exempt from having to conduct studies in the pediatric population. The main benefit of the pediatric waiver is that it reduces the burden of conducting potentially unnecessary pediatric studies, which can be costly, time-consuming, and may unnecessarily expose children to an investigational medicine. Pediatric waivers are typically granted when the medicine is intended to treat a condition that affects the adult population, the investigational product does not provide a significant benefit to pediatric patients or the disease does not occur in the pediatric population. The waiver will help CEL-SCI avoid substantial time and cost burdens while still allowing Multikine to be used in the target population if approved.
LEAPS Article Published in Frontiers in Immunology
The scientific journal Frontiers in Immunology published an article in its March 2024 issue on CEL-SCI’s Ligand Epitope Antigen Presentation System (LEAPS) technology as reported in a March 19th press release. While there are approved treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) including adalimumab and other TNF blockers and JAK inhibitors they do not balance adaptive immune homeostasis. These classes of drugs also present the risk of stimulating other disease. CEL-SCI’s CEL-4000 therapeutic vaccine may be able to treat RA while limiting negative side effects by promoting antigen-specific regulatory rather than inflammatory responses, thereby modulating the immunopathological course of RA. In CEL-SCI’s article entitled Current status of immunological therapies for rheumatoid arthritis with a focus on antigen-specific therapeutic vaccines, the authors discuss in-development and approved products for the disease and preclinical data for CEL-4000. CEL-SCI’s candidate is able to redirect autoreactive pro-inflammatory memory T cells towards rebalancing the runaway immune/inflammatory responses that characterize the disease. The drug’s features require the use of more advanced trial design such as adaptive trials and the use of biomarkers for endpoints. The article concludes by asserting that an antigen-specific immunomodulating vaccine, such as CEL-4000, may deliver therapy for RA without weakening important immune defense mechanisms against microbial infections or cancer.
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