Evogene Ltd (NASDAQ: EVGN) subsidiary Biomica Ltd and Rambam Health Care Campus have signed a clinical trial agreement to initiate the first-in-human Proof-of-concept for Biomica’s treatment, BMC128.
Study awaiting approval in Israel
The clinical trial is titled, “A Phase 1, Open-Label Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of BMC128 in Combination with anti-PD-1 in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Melanoma or Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC).” Importantly, this study will evaluate the tolerability and safety of BMC128 combination with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy (an anti-PD-1 agent) in refractory cancers treatment. The start of the study is awaiting Israeli Ministry of Health approval.
Biomica CEO Dr. Elran Haber stated, “We are very excited to work with one of Israel’s leading healthcare institutions, the Rambam Health Care Campus, and we look forward to initiating our first-in-human POC study for BMC128, for the treatment of refractory cancer patients. Based on the compelling preclinical results achieved to date, we are thrilled to take this next step in advancing BMC128 through the clinical development process. We hope that this important collaboration will be followed by further partnerships with additional leading medical institutions.”
BMC128 combination with ant-PD1 showed improved outcome
The company previously reported that BMC128 combination with an anti-PD-1 agent improved anti-tumor activity in different preclinical trials. It led to increased tumors response to anti-PD1 as shown by enhanced ORR and Percent Tumor Growth Inhibition.
Rambam’s Head of Oncology Phase 1 Clinical Trials, Dr. Ruth Perets, said, “We are thrilled to lead this clinical trial, aiming to target the important issue of ICI resistance. ICIs have revolutionized the field of oncology, providing prolonged survival in many malignancies. However, resistance to ICI eventually occurs in most patients, and evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays a role in ICI resistance. We are excited to the test the ability of BMC128 to overcome ICI resistance and help provide patients meaningful and long responses to treatment.”
