Phio Pharmaceuticals launches clinical program for cutaneous carcinoma candidate

Phio Pharmaceuticals expects to file an IND in the US in the first half of 2023 for a Phase 1b clinical trial of its proprietary Intasyl compound, PH-762, a self-delivering RNAi technology designed to make immune cells more effective in killing tumor cells. PH-762 has been shown to reduce the expression of PD-1, a protein that inhibits T cells’ ability to kill cancer cells. When administered intratumorally in preclinical models PH-762 primes an anti-tumor immune response, and inhibits tumor growth. Phio is currently conducting a Phase 1b clinical trial of PH-762 for the treatment of advanced melanoma in Europe. Phio expects to commence a US Phase 1b clinical trial early in the 2nd half of 2023. The initial US trial is expected to focus on the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and other selected cutaneous malignancies, following successful regulatory review of the IND.