First patient treated in multicentre Phase I clinical trial of SCIB1 DNA ImmunoBody vaccine for melanoma

Scancell Holdings Plc, (PLUS:SCLP), the developer of therapeutic cancer vaccines, today announces the enrolment and treatment of the first patient in its multicentre Phase I clinical trial of SCIB1, its DNA ImmunoBody® vaccine being developed for the treatment of melanoma. The trial will evaluate the safety and tolerability of SCIB1 in patients with late stage melanoma.

“The beginning of enrolment in the Phase I trial for SCIB1 is a key milestone for Scancell and we are delighted that the Company is continuing in its progress.”

The trial, which is commencing on schedule, will be in nine, Stage IV or inoperable Stage III patients and is being conducted in three UK centres. All patients in the clinical trial will be treated with Scancell's SCIB1 ImmunoBody® vaccine, delivered by Ichor Medical Systems' TriGrid™ electroporation delivery device.

ImmunoBody® vaccines generate the high-avidity T-cells* that kill cancer cells, which may overcome the current limitations of most cancer vaccines. In vivo electroporation is widely regarded as an effective method of enhancing the potency of DNA vaccines by up to 100-fold compared to conventional methods of delivery.

Advanced melanoma currently has a very poor prognosis with late stage (stage IV) disease having a median survival of approximately six months. According to the World Health Organisation, 132,000 melanoma skin cancers occur globally each year and the incidence is increasing, especially in the United States, Europe and Australia.

Professor Lindy Durrant, CEO of Scancell Holdings and Professor of Cancer Immunotherapy at Nottingham University, commented: "This is the first time we will be taking the SCIB1 ImmunoBody® vaccine into patients with late stage melanoma and follows our very positive research studies with the vaccine against this deadly form of cancer. We are very excited about the prospects for SCIB1 and are very pleased that it has moved a step closer to becoming available for the treatment of cancer patients."

Professor Poulam Patel, Lead Researcher, commented: "Advanced melanoma is one of the most deadly cancers we have and there is an urgent need for new treatments. The data from the laboratories looks very promising and we're very excited to take SCIB1 into the clinic."

David Evans, Chairman of Scancell Holdings, commented: "The beginning of enrolment in the Phase I trial for SCIB1 is a key milestone for Scancell and we are delighted that the Company is continuing in its progress."

SOURCE Scancell Holdings