Theriva Biologics to Present Preclinical Data Supporting the Potential Synergy of VCN-01 and First-Line Pancreatic Cancer Chemotherapy Regimens at the American Society for Cell and Gene Therapy 27th Annual Meeting

– Lead product candidate, VCN-01 in combination with liposomal irinotecan demonstrated enhanced anti-tumor effects in a human pancreatic mouse xenograft–

– The observed synergy emphasizes VCN-01’s potential in diverse chemotherapy combinations for improved efficacy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer–

ROCKVILLE, Md., April 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Theriva Biologics (NYSE American: TOVX), a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need, today announced the presentation of preclinical data demonstrating enhanced anti-tumor effects in human pancreatic cancer xenograft-bearing mice treated with lead product candidate VCN-01 and liposomal irinotecan. These data support the potential synergy of VCN-01 and first-line pancreatic cancer chemotherapy regimens, and will be featured in a poster presentation at the American Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ASGCT) 27^th Annual Meeting, being held both virtually and in Baltimore from May 7-11, 2024.

“The data featured at the upcoming ASGCT meeting build on recent findings that suggest the combination of VCN-01 and topoisomerase I inhibitors, such as liposomal irinotecan, may provide a synergistic antitumor effect to improve therapeutic outcomes across indications,” said Steven A. Shallcross, Chief Executive Officer of Theriva Biologics. “We look forward to leveraging these findings and evaluating the combination of VCN-01 with additional first-line pancreatic cancer chemotherapy regimens, including NALIRIFOX and FOLFIRINOX. In parallel, we continue to progress our on-going VIRAGE Phase 2b trial evaluating VCN-01 in combination with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel to treat metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Together, these important steps bring us one step closer to building a portfolio of potentially improved therapeutic combinations for PDAC patients with high unmet medical needs.”

Key takeaways include:
Overview: The combination of VCN-01 + topoisomerase I (topo1) inhibitors, such as liposomal irinotecan, has a tolerable toxicity profile and may improve efficacy in the treatment of human pancreatic cancer.

• In vitro: Viral protein expression was increased in human pancreatic cancer cell lines when they were exposed to topo1 inhibiting chemotherapeutics, irinotecan, its active metabolite, SN-38, and topotecan.
• In vivo: Synergy of VCN-01 plus liposomal irinotecan was observed in animals bearing subcutaneous human pancreatic tumors.
  • In human pancreatic mouse xenograft models, treatment with VCN-01 at a dose of 4x10¹⁰ vp or liposomal irinotecan alone (at both the 10 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg doses) resulted in significant tumor growth inhibition compared to saline.
  • Combination therapy with VCN-01 + liposomal irinotecan at either dose displayed significantly reduced tumor growth compared to each treatment alone.
  • qPCR analyses performed on tumors collected at end of study confirmed the presence of viral genomes, indicating ongoing transcriptional activity of VCN-01, which is consistent with viral replication for several days after administration.