EMVC Emv Capital Plc

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EMV Capital plc

("EMVC" or the "Company")

PDS Biotech PDS Biotech Announces 36-Month Overall Survival Rate of 84.4% in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Patients Treated with Versamune® HPV and Chemoradiation

100% 36-month overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates in patients fully treated with Versamune^® HPV combined with chemoradiation (N=8)

88% (15/17) of patients had a complete metabolic response

IMMUNOCERV Phase 2 clinical trial results presented at ASTRO Annual Meeting 2024

EMV Capital plc (AIM: EMVC), the deeptech and life sciences VC investment group, reports that its portfolio company, PDS Biotechnology Corporation (Nasdaq: PDSB), in which it holds a 3% direct holding, has announced that updated data from the IMMUNOCERV Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating Versamune^® HPV (formerly PDS0101) with chemoradiation to treat locally advanced cervical cancer were presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting 2024 in an oral presentation by Adam Grippin, M.D., Ph.D., of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The abstract was granted Basic/Translational Science Award from the ASTRO Annual Meeting Steering Committee.

PDS Biotech is a late-stage immunotherapy company focused on transforming how the immune system targets and kills cancers and the development of infectious disease vaccines

Ann Klopp, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Radiation Oncology and Head of the Gynecologic Section at MD Anderson said:

"HPV is responsible for virtually all cervical cancers and presents an opportunity for immunologic targeting.¹  However, there are currently no FDA-approved HPV-targeted immunotherapies to treat cervical cancer.  These data suggest that further investigation is warranted into the safety and efficacy of Versamune^® HPV in combination with standard of care in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer."

The IMMUNOCERV Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT04580771) evaluated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Versamune^® HPV in combination with standard-of-care chemoradiotherapy for the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer. The investigator-initiated study enrolled 17 newly diagnosed high-risk patients with large tumours of at least 5 cm in size. Highlights from the presentation include:

·      All patients received at least 2 doses of Versamune^® HPV.

·      Median follow-up was 19 months.

·      36-month overall survival (OS) rate was 84.4%, and 100% for the eight patients who received all five doses of Versamune^® HPV. Historical published data show 36-month OS rate with chemoradiation in this population of approximately 64%.²

·      36-month progression free survival (PFS) rate was 74.9%, among all patients and 100% for the eight patients who received all five doses of Versamune^® HPV. Historical published data show 36-month PFS rate with chemoradiation in this population of approximately 61%.²

·      Complete metabolic response (CMR) was achieved in 15/17 (88%) patients.

·      Versamune^® HPV appeared to be safe and well-tolerated. The most common treatment-related toxicities were injection site reactions in twelve patients (71%).

Frank Bedu-Addo, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of PDS Biotech said:

"We are pleased that data from the Phase 2 IMMUNOCERV trial demonstrate compelling clinical activity and a promising safety profile.  Based on our continued research in various HPV-positive cancers, Versamune^® HPV appears to work in combination with a variety of therapeutic agents to generate clinical responses and promote improved survival in patients with minimal toxicity. We look forward to the next steps in the development of Versamune^® HPV for locally advanced cervical cancer."

1.    National Cancer Institute, Cervical Cancer Causes, Risk Factors and Prevention. https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/causes-risk-prevention

2.    Rose PG, et al. Concurrent Cisplatin-Based Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer. N Engl J Med. 1999;340:1144-53.

  A full version of PDS Biotech's announcement can be accessed here: 

https://www.pdsbiotech.com/index.php/investors/news-center/press-releases/press-releases1/125-2023-news/889-iotechnologyeportsnducementrantnderasdaqis20231204

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About EMV Capital plc (EMVC)

EMV Capital plc, formerly known as NetScientific plc, is a deep tech and life sciences venture capital investment group with an international portfolio of high-growth companies.

With a strategic focus on generating superior returns for investors from the fast-growing sectors and technologies that will define our future; EMV Capital invests in, manages and strengthens early stage IP-rich companies.

EMV Capital holds both direct equity stakes and carried interest in its portfolio companies, creating an evergreen structure that supports extensive growth and value creation. EMV Capital's investment thesis is realised through these capital sources:

·    capital-efficient investments through Group balance sheet;

·    fund management of the Evergreen EIS and Martlet Capital Funds;

·    syndicated investments leveraging its network of third-party investors.

EMV Capital's approach is characterised by its proactive management style, aiming to advance portfolio companies to critical value inflection points by actively engaging with them. Companies are supported through Board representation and the use of its Value Creation Services practice.

Headquartered in London, with a Cambridge presence and strong international links, EMV Capital is quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

www.emvcapital.com

About PDS Biotechnology

PDS Biotechnology is a late-stage immunotherapy company focused on transforming how the immune system targets and kills cancers and the development of infectious disease vaccines. The Company plans to initiate a pivotal clinical trial in 2024 to advance its lead program in advanced HPV16-positive head and neck squamous cell cancers. PDS Biotech's lead investigational targeted immunotherapy Versamune^® HPV is being developed in combination with a standard-of-care immune checkpoint inhibitor, and also in a triple combination including PDS01ADC, an IL-12 fused antibody drug conjugate (ADC), and a standard-of-care immune checkpoint inhibitor.

www.pdsbiotech.com