ORYX GmbH & Co. KG / Key word(s): Study results
2015-06-12 / 09:00
Press Release
ORYX’ Oncolytic Virus ParvOryx Successfully Completes Phase I/IIa Trial to Treat Glioblastoma Multiforme
Munich (Germany), June 12, 2015: ORYX, a translational medicine company focused on oncolytic virotherapy and cancer vaccines, announced the successful completion of the Phase I/IIa trial ParvOryx with the oncolytic parvovirus H1 to treat patients with progressive primary or recurrent glioblastoma. The open label, single center trial included 18 patients (UICC Stage IV), who showed recurrent or progressive disease despite previous radio- and/or chemotherapy. As primary endpoints, the trial evaluated safety, maximum tolerated dose, viremia and virus shedding. Secondary endpoints were efficacy, progression-free survival up to six months and overall survival. The vaccine was safe and strong cellular immune responses were observed. Full data from the trial will be presented at upcoming scientific conferences.
Oncolytic parvovirus H1 (H-1PV) is a wild type rat virus that infects and lyses tumor cells from a wide variety of human tumors. H-1PV is also able to cross the blood brain barrier.
Unlike other natural or modified oncolytic viruses currently under investigation, H-1PV does not affect normal cells and is not pathogenic to humans. H-1PV acts at relatively low multiplicities of infection. The virus exerts a cytotoxic/oncolytic effect, predominantly mediated by the non-structural protein (NS1). In addition, viral oncolysis induces a strong and lasting tumor-specific immune response (bystander effect).
Dr. Bernard Huber, CEO and Founder of ORYX, commented: “We are proud that with ParvOryx now ORYX’s three clinical phase I/IIa trials are completed successfully. Based on the promising data from the ParvOryx trial, we together with the scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, who developed this treatment strategy, are highly convinced that the oncolytic parvovirus H1 holds extraordinary potential to treat not only glioblastoma multiforme but also a variety of other cancers. Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and most aggressive type of primary brain tumor with a substantial unmet medical need for better treatment options.”
Dr. Karsten Geletneky, Neurosurgeon at the Department of Neurosurgery of the University of Heidelberg and Deputy Principal Investigator of the trial, will report on the ParvOryx results in an oral presentation at the 9th International Conference on Oncolytic Virus Therapeutics, taking place in Boston, USA on June 13-16, 2015.
The company will also deliver a presentation at the BIO International Convention, taking place in Philadelphia, USA on June 15-18, 2015.
About ORYX:
ORYX is a privately held Munich based biotech company. ORYX develops three highly innovative drug candidates for the treatment of cancer, originating from leading research institutions like the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the University of Heidelberg. The ORYX clinical development portfolio consists of an oncolytic virus and two therapeutic cancer vaccines. ORYX holds exclusive, world-wide licenses for all its development projects. For more information please visit: www.oryx-medicine.com
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