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. The ability to safely increase the dosage of agents directly to the tumor halts cancer proliferation and initiates cell death in such a way that it stimulates the immune system to recognize the cancer and fight distal tumors and unseen metastases.
PORT-1 has demonstrated safety and efficacy in a Phase 1/2 study for the treatment of refractory solid tumors and is currently being evaluated through a collaborative partnership with Merck and Bristol Myers Squibb. The companies are observing PORT-1 in multiple solid tumor types as both a monotherapy and in combination with Yervoy and Keytruda. Data readouts for PORT-1 are anticipated for nine ongoing Phase 2 trials in the U.S. and Canada, which are reviewing PORT-1 in breast, pancreatic, colon (non‐MSI high), bile duct, squamous cell (PD‐1 refractory), sarcoma and liver cancer.
PORT-1 has received Fast Track Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for triple-negative breast cancer, demonstrating the importance of ongoing drug development and improved therapies for this aggressive type of 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.