But for the majority of patients, there’s a need for more. For cancers that are not sensitive to immune checkpoint inhibitors, we see a potential combination with CAN-2409. In our prostate cancer trial, we see that the combination of our viral immunotherapy with radiation leads to a significant improvement in patient outcomes. So, we think that we are part of that next wave that will potentially improve outcomes for patients that are currently not sensitive to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
With the success of CAN-2409 in prostate cancer, what other indications are you exploring for this platform?
Our platform is very broad because we believe that the concept of in situ vaccination can be applied to many different solid tumors. We are now running a study in non-small cell lung cancer, a very difficult-to-treat cancer. We will soon start studies in pancreatic cancer and high-grade glioma, all with the same principle of in situ vaccination using CAN-2409 in combination with radiation.
So, the platform in itself is broad, and we’re looking at different indications where there’s a true unmet need and where we think that this approach can make a difference.
Could you walk us through the decision-making process behind the restructuring of Candel Therapeutics?
It was a very painful decision to restructure the company. We had to take a hard look at where we were spending money and where we needed to focus. We decided to narrow our focus on our key value drivers, which included moving forward with CAN-2409 in prostate cancer. This meant making hard decisions, including letting go of half of our workforce, but it was necessary to ensure that we could continue to advance our pipeline and bring potentially life-saving treatments to patients.
Ultimately, the restructuring allowed us to prioritize our resources and focus on key clinical programs that have the potential to make a significant impact in the field of oncology.
Candel Therapeutics’ journey over the past year has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, but the company’s commitment to its groundbreaking science and innovative approach to cancer immunotherapy has paid off with a major win in the form of positive phase 3 results for CAN-2409 in prostate cancer. As the company looks to the future, it remains dedicated to advancing its pipeline of viral immunotherapies in other challenging solid tumors, with the goal of bringing new treatment options to patients in need.
With a renewed focus and a clear path forward, Candel Therapeutics is poised to make a significant impact in the field of immuno-oncology and beyond.
This article is brought to you by PharmaVoice. To listen to this article, click the play button below:
The recent Nobel Prize awarded to Jim Allison highlights the groundbreaking advancements in immunotherapy. While immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promise, their non-specific activation of the immune response doesn’t work for all patients. This has led to the development of CAN-2409, an off-the-shelf product that triggers an individualized immune response. This represents a new frontier in immunotherapy, with companies like Replimune, CG Oncology, and J&J also making significant strides in the field.
Collaborating with leading immunologist Dr. Carl June, we are working on viral immunotherapies to enhance the effectiveness of CAR-T cells in treating solid tumors like pancreatic cancer. By converting non-responders to immune checkpoint inhibitors into responders, as demonstrated in non-small cell lung cancer, we are pushing the boundaries of immunotherapy.
The recent results for CAN-2409 have been promising, particularly in early localized disease. Focusing on disease-free survival as the primary endpoint, we aimed to eliminate any evidence of cancer cells in patients. This approach not only increases the likelihood of patients being disease-free but also reduces the need for additional treatments with associated side effects.
In restructuring the company last year, we prioritized cost-effective strategies to reach value-creating milestones. With a lean approach to clinical trials and a focus on potential blockbusters, we made strategic decisions to optimize our cash runway. While manufacturing investments were deferred until data validation, positive outcomes have positioned us well for future growth.
As we approach the J.P. Morgan healthcare conference, we anticipate showcasing our latest data and potentially exploring strategic opportunities. While open to partnerships, we remain committed to prioritizing patient benefits and stakeholder value. Our unique R&D capabilities and strategic flexibility allow us to consider a range of options, including independent growth or strategic collaborations.
