BiVictriX identifies development lead for potential cancer drug

Cancer therapy-focussed biotechnology company BiVictriX Therapeutics has identified a development lead for its ‘BVX001’ programme, it announced on Wednesday.

The AIM-traded firm said the lead was developed using its proprietary ‘Bi-Cygni’ approach, which aims to generate the next-generation of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) with superior cancer selectivity.

It said the lead was chosen based on “promising” in-vitro potency and cancer cell selectivity data, together with “encouraging data” reported from a panel of ex-vivo safety assays using healthy human cells.

The lead, together with backup candidates, would now be taken forward into a panel of in-vivo models.

They would include models of acute myeloid leukaemia to investigate the optimum dose of the molecule.

In addition, the lead would be assessed in safety models providing indicative safety data for the programme.

Results from those experiments, in addition to the data already obtained, would support manufacturing preparations and guide future clinical trials.

“We are delighted to be able to announce that we have identified a lead compound for our BVX001 programme, in line with what we set out to do earlier this year,” said chief executive officer Tiffany Thorn.

“This marks a significant step forward towards progressing this programme to the clinic, where we hope to deliver key outcomes for patients who currently have limited options.

“This announcement also comes at a time when interest in the ADC sector is on the rise with over 12 deals/partnerships announced this year alone.”

At 1116 GMT, shares in BiVictriX Therapeutics were down 1.94% at 15.2p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.