Nykode Therapeutics ASA announced that it has expanded the clinical collaboration and supply agreement with Roche to cover evaluation of VB10.16, Nykode's wholly owned off-the-shelf therapeutic cancer vaccine candidate, in combination with Roche's cancer immunotherapy atezolizumab in patients with advanced cervical cancer who have progressed on pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy +/- bevacizumab as first line treatment. The VB-C-04 trial is expected to be initiated in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2023 with registrational intent, which provides a potential fast-to-market path. Under the terms of the agreement, Nykode will sponsor and fund the planned clinical trial, and Roche will provide atezolizumab.

Nykode retains all commercial rights to VB10.16 worldwide. Nykode has recently reported positive safety and efficacy results from the Phase 2 VB-C-02 trial in Europe in advanced cervical cancer patients with VB10.16 in combination with atezolizumab. The results showed an overall response rate (ORR) of 29%, median overall survival (mOS) not reached but greater than 25 months at the time of analysis, and 6.3 months median progression free survival (mPFS) in PD-L1+ patients.

In the patient population most relevant for the upcoming VB-C-04 trial, PD-L1+ patients with one prior line of systemic treatment, ORR was 40% and disease control rate was 80% with mPFS of 16.9 months and mOS not reached but greater than 25 months at the time of analysis. The VB-C-04 trial will be conducted together with GOG Foundation, a U.S.-based not-for-profit organization with expertise in bringing best-in-class new treatments to patients.