other programs in development

Intratumoral Amphiphilic Formulations

delivering potent cancer-killing agents directly into tumors and driving antigen presentation

Previous iterations of intratumoral amphiphilic formulations have had a limited local effect and minimal systemic effects throughout the body. PORT-1 (INT230-6) offers a next-generation formulation that safely delivers up to three times the systemic dose of cancer-killing agents directly into targeted tumors, immediately reducing cancer burden by breaking down the cytokine wall and recruiting immune cells to attack microscopic and metastatic disease. Used alone or in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, PORT-1 may lead to improved survival without unwanted side effects.

Thus far, PORT-1:

• Has demonstrated safety and efficacy in a Phase 1/2 study for the treatment of refractory solid tumors
• Is being evaluated through a collaborative partnership with Merck and Bristol Meyers Squibb
• Has data readouts anticipated for nine ongoing Phase 2 trials in the U.S. and Canada for several different indications
• Has shown impressive data in the neoadjuvant breast cancer setting from a phase 2 randomized trial
• Has received Fast Track Designation from U.S. FDA for triple-negative breast cancer

The PORT-1 platform, INT230-6, was developed by Intensity Therapeutics and is being advanced in collaboration with Portage Biotech. Portage’s CEO, Dr. Ian Walters, has partnered with Intensity as its chief medical officer where he is responsible for driving clinical and business strategy.

Nanolipogel Formulations

yielding enhanced activity in established targets with co-delivery platform

Combination therapies are a potentially powerful approach to combating many forms of cancer, but effectiveness can vary when combination therapies are administered through separate delivery systems. PORT-4 (SAUG-1 and SAUG-2) aims to deliver combination cancer treatments in a single medicine.

The PORT-4 platform’s co-formulation approach creates the potential for delivering customized combinations of effective therapies that combine two separate drugs into a single medicine. Initial portfolio programs combine the delivery of approved PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors with the delivery of other drugs known to facilitate immune regulation, including cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) aptamer and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) small molecules.

Initial programs for PORT-4 are currently undergoing preclinical testing.

STING agonist with VLP delivery

enabling convenient systemic administration and co-formulations with other agents

PORT-5 (STIM1) offers a first-in-class approach to developing molecules that activate the STING pathway, an immune-boosting pathway that has long been an area of interest in cancer treatment. PORT-5 packages a STING agonist, cGMP, in a virus-like particle (VLP), a delivery system that can be customized and targeted to specific cells and tumor types across the entire body. The resulting therapy can be administered systemically one or more targeted agents can be packaged within the VLP to increase its potency.

Data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2022 conference showed that PORT-5 can be delivered systemically and achieve potent activation of the STING pathway preferentially in dendritic cells. The company is completing the IND enable work to allow entry into the clinic.