Portage Biotech Presents Updates on its iNKT and Adenosine programs at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s (SITC) 38th Annual Meeting

• Updated data support the proof of concept of using an iNKT engager monotherapy (PORT-2) to induce immune response for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and melanoma
  
• Strong academic interest in the design of the Adenosine 2A(A2A) and Adenosine 2B(A2B) trial for patients with solid tumors with high adenosine receptor expression

WESTPORT, Conn., Nov. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portage Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: PRTG), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing therapies to improve patient lives and increase survival, today announced the presentations of updates from its ongoing IMPORT-201 Phase 1/2 trial of PORT-2 (IMM60), an invariant natural killer T cell (iNKT) engager for patients with NSCLC and advanced melanoma, and its ADPORT-601 adaptive Phase 1a/1b trial for PORT-6 (A2A inhibitor) and PORT-7 (A2B inhibitor) in multiple solid tumors at SITC.

The patient data from IMPORT-201, a multi-arm Phase 1/2 trial evaluating PORT-2 in multiple settings, included front-line and refractory NSCLC, and refractory melanoma, as a monotherapy and in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab). These data build on previous results shared at the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in June and include new information on the novel pharmacology profile of PORT-2.

“We are encouraged by the expanding patient data set that supports results showing PORT-2 having a favorable safety and tolerability profile as a monotherapy as well as early combination data,” said Dr. Ian Walters, Chief Executive Officer of Portage Biotech. “We continue to see single agent activity of PORT-2 at the 3 and 9 mg/m² dose. We are looking forward to exploring higher dose levels as monotherapy and in combination."

Dr. Sumit K. Subudhi from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center presented the design of the ADPORT-601 trial. This trial will evaluate a potent and selective A2A inhibitor (PORT-6), and an A2B inhibitor (PORT-7), alone and in combination with other immunotherapies specifically in tumors that overexpress adenosine. This trial is being conducted in collaboration with Merck and is being designed to explore A2A + pembrolizumab, A2B + pembrolizumab, and the triplet of A2A + A2B (both at the optimal biologic dose) + pembrolizumab. Dr. Subudhi commented, “Portage’s potentially best-in-class A2A and A2B compounds coupled with a keen focus on patient selection and translational endpoints make this trial very appealing. I especially appreciate Portage’s proactive approach to understanding the immune effects of modulating the adenosine pathway early in their development program.”