Purple Biotech Reaches Recommended Phase 2 Dose for NT219

REHOVOT, Israel, Feb. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Purple Biotech Ltd. ("Purple Biotech" or "the Company") (NASDAQ/TASE: PPBT), a clinical-stage company developing first-in-class therapies that harness the power of the tumor microenvironment to overcome tumor immune evasion and drug resistance, today announced it has determined 100mg/kg is the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) for NT219 in combination with cetuximab in the treatment of head and neck cancer based on its Phase 1/2 dose escalation study (NCT04474470). NT219 is a first-in-class small molecule dual inhibitor of IRS1/2 and STAT3.

The RP2D was determined based on data from the open-label dose escalation study designed to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and efficacy of NT219 in combination with Erbitux (cetuximab), in previously treated recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) patients. The Company recently reported that NT219, in combination with cetuximab, demonstrated a dose dependent anti-tumor activity with confirmed partial responses. No dose-limiting toxicities were reported. The additional supporting data used for this determination was pharmacokinetics of NT219 across all dose levels. Further dose optimization is planned for future studies.

The Phase 1 dose escalation study is being concluded and the remaining patients' data are expected to be reported during the first half of 2024. The Company is now advancing its upcoming Phase 2 Proof of Concept study of NT219 for the treatment of R/M SCCHN.

Detailed clinical results from the dose escalation portion of the study are intended to be presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology Targeted Anticancer Therapies (ESMO TAT) Congress 2024 in Paris on February 26, 2024, in an Oral Presentation titled “Interim results of a Phase 1/2 trial of NT219 in combination with cetuximab in patients with advanced/metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN).”

“This is a major milestone for the development of NT219 for an indication in need of more effective therapies. As we progress into a Phase 2 study, our goal is to establish NT219 as standard of care for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck for patients who have not responded to first line treatments,” stated Gil Efron, Chief Executive Officer of Purple Biotech. “We look forward to treating more patients with NT219 in a Phase 2 study.”