#Singapore #Immunotherapy #ACM Biolabs #ACM-CpG

Introduction

ACM Biolabs, a clinical-stage biotechnology firm based in Singapore, has recently unveiled promising early results from its ongoing phase 1 clinical trial assessing ACM-CpG, a novel therapeutic aimed at advanced solid tumors. This report highlights the initial findings regarding safety signals and pharmacodynamic responses from the intramuscular administration of ACM-CpG.

About ACM Biolabs and ACM-CpG

ACM Biolabs is engaged in developing next-generation nanoparticle-based immunotherapies, focusing on enhancing immune responses against cancer. The company's proprietary polymersome platform facilitates the development of drugs that engage critical immune pathways. ACM-CpG acts as a TLR9 agonist, meaning it enhances immune response by targeting Toll-like receptors, which are vital in recognizing and responding to pathogens and tumor cells.

Clinical Study Overview

The ongoing phase 1 trial involves recruiting patients with advanced solid tumors at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), aiming to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ACM-CpG. Initial assessments focus on the robust immune activation the treatment engenders, critical for its potential to address tumors that do not initially elicit strong immune responses, commonly referred to as ‘cold’ tumors.

Promising Results

Initial data from the trial indicate that the administration of ACM-CpG, particularly at doses as low as 0.25 mg CpG on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, leads to significant systemic immune activation. Biomarkers indicative of immune response have shown favorable changes, further reinforcing the treatment's potential. Notably, the safety profile appears very positive, with no dose-limiting toxicities observed to date. Dr. Madhavan Nallani, CEO of ACM Biolabs, emphasized that the ability to administer ACM-CpG intramuscularly allows for a safe and effective activation of the immune system, paving the way for combining this treatment with others or using it as a standalone therapy in patients with limited treatment options.

Ongoing Exploration and Future Directions

The trial continues to monitor patients with highly prevalent cancer types, including head and neck, lung, bladder, and kidney cancers. With support from Singapore's Industry Alignment Fund - Pre-Positioning (IAF-PP), the collaboration between ACM Biolabs and NCCS is thoroughly focused on establishing the mechanism of action necessary for advancing the clinical development of ACM-CpG.

Conclusion

As the study progresses, attention will be paid to optimizing the administration strategies of ACM-CpG to harness its full therapeutic potential. The encouraging findings thus far provide a solid foundation for future research, with hopes to eventually offer new avenues for treatment in patients with advanced cancers that currently have limited options. The positive feedback from the initial three patients, two of whom maintained disease control for an impressive eight months on monotherapy, bodes well for the ongoing development efforts.

Next Steps

Continued updates will follow as more data emerges from this promising initiative. ACM Biolabs remains committed to advancing its innovative therapies and exploring their broad applicability in oncology and beyond, ultimately striving to meet the significant unmet medical needs of cancer patients around the world.