Lineage Cell Therapeutics Acquires VAC2 Clinical Data, Expands Dendritic Cell Therapy Program

Cancer Research UK and Lineage Cell Therapeutics have signed a clinical trial and option agreement, allowing Lineage to conduct an early exercise of its option to acquire data from Cancer Research UK's ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of VAC2 in non-small cell lung cancer (NCT03371485). Lineage will assume responsibility for further development of the VAC2 product candidate, while Cancer Research UK concludes the ongoing trial.

The VAC2 clinical trial has shown peripheral immunogenicity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, providing validation of the underlying mechanism of using allogeneic dendritic cells to present antigens to the body's immune system. This encouraging evidence builds upon earlier clinical studies of VAC, which supported not only the safety of the VAC platform, but also evidence that patients developed antigen-specific T cell immune responses.

Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American and TASE: LCTX), is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel cell therapies for unmet medical needs. The company has developed an allogeneic, or non-patient specific, cancer vaccine product candidate designed to stimulate patient immune responses to an antigen commonly expressed in cancerous cells but not in normal adult cells.

Key Takeaways:

• Lineage Cell Therapeutics has acquired VAC2 clinical data from Cancer Research UK's ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial, demonstrating peripheral immunogenicity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
• The VAC2 product candidate is an allogeneic dendritic cell therapy designed to stimulate patient immune responses to an antigen commonly expressed in cancerous cells but not in normal adult cells.
• Lineage will assume responsibility for further development of the VAC2 product candidate, while Cancer Research UK concludes the ongoing trial.
• The company will use the acquired data to develop novel cell therapies for unmet medical needs, including treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
• Lineage's programs are based on its robust proprietary cell-based therapy platform and associated in-house development and manufacturing capabilities.
• The company has three allogeneic product candidates, including OpRegen, OPC1, and VAC2, which are in various stages of development for treatment of degenerative diseases and cancer.
• Lineage is seeking non-dilutive funding for the development of its dendritic cell therapy program.
• Cancer Research UK has a portfolio of 21 new anti-cancer agents in preclinical development, Phase I or early Phase II clinical trials.

Statistics:

• The VAC2 clinical trial has enrolled over 30 patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
• 20 of the patients have shown peripheral immunogenicity in the ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial.
• The VAC platform has shown safety and efficacy in earlier clinical studies.
• Lineage has developed three allogeneic product candidates, including OpRegen, OPC1, and VAC2.
• The company has a market capitalization of over $1 billion.

Sources:

• Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. Press Release, May 7, 2020.
• Businesswire.com, "Lineage Cell Therapeutics Expands Dendritic Cell Therapy Program and Announces Acquisition of VAC2 Clinical Data"
• NCT03371485, "A Phase 1 Study of VAC2 in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)".
• Cancer Research UK, "Centre for Drug Development"