Agenus' Prophage vaccine Phase 2 study hailed in Neuro-Oncology journal

Agenus Inc. (Nasdaq: AGEN), a biotechnology company developing novel immune system activating treatments for cancers and infectious diseases, announced that Phase 2 results of Prophage G-200 vaccine in recurrent patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) were hailed as 'exciting' and a 'very promising therapy' in an editorial published in Neuro-Oncology, the leading journal of the Society of Neuro-Oncology.

The results of Agenus' Prophage vaccine Phase 2 study, published last month in Neuro-Oncology, demonstrated that more than 90% of the patients treated with the vaccine candidate were alive at six months. The median overall survival in these patients was approximately 11 months.

In an independent editorial, John Sampson, MD, PhD, The Dr. Robert H. Wilkins and Gloria Wilkins Professor of Neurosurgery and Professor of Immunology and Pathology at Duke University Medical Center, called the results 'impressive' and said they represent a potentially 'very promising therapy' in patients in desperate need of new treatments.

The results of the Phase 2 trial have garnered the support of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The NCI is funding the largest cancer vaccine trial investigating Prophage vaccine in combination with Avastin® (bevacizumab) in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. The study is actively enrolling and will offer the opportunity to provide important data to validate assessments of biomarkers and imaging criteria, which is needed to advance the understanding of treatment for patients with GBM.

"We are excited about these results and the enthusiasm of our colleagues," said Andrew Parsa, MD, PhD, corresponding author of the study and chair of neurological surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Michael J. Marchese Professor and chair of the department of neurological surgery at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. "We are also enthusiastic about the ongoing NCI Alliance trial and the opportunity to not only advance a new therapy for patients with GBM but to support the development of innovative immunologic and imaging tools."