Invion (ASX: IVX) is a clinical-stage Australian life sciences company developing its Next-Generation Photodynamic Therapy (NGPDT) for the treatment of a range of cancers. The technology is a precision cancer targeting therapy that is powered by light.
It uses non-toxic photosensitisers activated by a specific wavelength of light to selectively kill cancer cells and promote an anti-cancer immune response.
Highlights of our platform technology for treating cancers include:
- Selectively targets and kills cancer cells by taking advantage of the Warburg effect (i.e. cancer cells have high glucose uptake, so we structured our compounds around this)
- Activation of immune response including when combined with immunotherapies (immune checkpoint inhibitors) increased response rates from 12% to 80%
- We are undertaking clinical trials across multiple cancers and results so far show our treatments to be both safe and demonstrate efficacy signals (completed PoC Ph II prostate investigator led 40-44% response rates, ongoing Ph I/II non-melanoma skin cancer no pain and reduction in tumour size, upcoming anogenital - already awarded Orphan Drug Designation by FDA for anal cancers)
- Industry partners have already recognised the potential of our technology and are providing non-dilutive funding for a number of our programs (e.g. Hanlim Pharm for esophageal cancer with backing of the Korean Drug Development Fund grant)
- Expanding therapeutic targets beyond human cancers to eye diseases (e.g. Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration) and companion animal cancers, where partners are funding preclinical studies and/or animal trials
- Photosoft has the potential to replace an old FDA approved PDT, Visudyne, for Wet AMD that has experienced a global shortage due to its complex chemistry and manufacturing
- Theragnostic potential where red light kills cancer cells while violet light causes fluorescence
- Potential for the therapy to be used against infectious diseases (e.g. superbugs) and fungi.
Click the link below to some video interviews with our research partners, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Hudson Institute of Medical Research. https://inviongroup.com/videos-reports/.
Why work with us
Invion is at a key inflection point as it moves from promising pre-clinical studies to clinical trials. PDTs have been around for decades, and some have even been approved by the US FDA.
It involves the use of a photosensitive drug and a light source to activate the drug, but severe side effects and other limitations have hampered their widespread use.
Invion's Photosoft has the potential to overcome many of these shortcomings. Results from a PoC prostate cancer trial showed a 40-44% positive response rate and the treatment only had mild side effects and was well tolerated by participants who underwent six rounds of the treatment.
Further, Invion is currently undertaking a Phase I/II non-melanoma skin cancer trial (NMSC) and early results showed reductions in size of lesions relative to baseline, complete resolution observed in select cases (with durability under evaluation) and consistent fluorescence signals that further validate Photosoft's theragnostic potential.
In vivo studies demonstrated Invion's lead drug candidate, INV043, is safe, non-scarring and non-toxic and only accumulates in cancer cells and not healthy tissue.
Less invasive than surgery and with minimal side effects, Photosoft offers an alternative treatment option aimed at achieving complete tumour regression and long-lasting remission.
Off the back of the NMSC trial, Invion plans to undertake a Phase Ib/II anogential clinical study in partnership with the Peter McCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac).
Additionally, Invion has signed agreements with several international pharma groups, such as Hanlim Pharm, SANGMYUNG Innovations and Protect Animal Health. These partners will fund and undertake studies using Photosoft to treat multiple indications, including oesophageal cancer, companion animal cancers and wet AMD.
