Mologen AG announced that the TEACH study with its immunomodulatory lefitolimod (MGN1703) in HIV patients will be extended as a result of the broad immune system activation induced by the drug. This was shown by the increased activation of various immune markers. In conclusion and consistent with the underlying hypothesis, lefitolimod (MGN1703) dosing led to the activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC), natural killer cells (NK) and T cells in HIV patients during the antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Thus, lefitolimod (MGN1703) could serve as a robust immune stimulator or “kill” agent in “kick and kill” HIV eradication trials. Initially patients received one month of treatment and now the protocol has been amended to give a longer treatment of six months with lefitolimod (MGN1703) in some more patients. Recruitment of these patients is expected in the next few weeks and final study results will now be available in the first half of 2017.

The aim of the TEACH study is to see if the immunotherapy with MGN1703 can activate the innate and adaptive immune system in HIV patients, to enhance killing of the HIV infected cells. Initial results of the first patients treated in the trial will be presented at the Keystone HIV Symposia (Keystone Symposia on molecular and cellular biology conference) from 20 – 24 March 2016 in Olympic Valley, USA.