Voyager Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: VYGR) stock price rallied 10.7% after announcing positive preclinical data from its Novel intravenous (IV) vectorized anti-HER2 antibody program.
The gene therapy company revealed preclinical data showing that intravenous dosing of a proprietary AAV vector could destroy metastatic breast cancer tumors, and inhibit tumor progression in CNS.
The firm’s proprietary TRACER™ capsid screening technology identified the AAV vector, allowing the broad expression of the vectorised anti-HER2 antibody in a mouse brain.
Glenn Pierce, M.D., PhD, Voyager’s interim Chief Scientific Officer, said:
“Today’s findings demonstrate that AAV gene transfer of HER2-directed antibodies to the central nervous system shows promise to treat brain metastases in patients with HER2+ breast cancer,” Adding:
“While approved anti-HER2 therapies are effective for peripheral disease, they have limited ability to reach the CNS in sufficient concentrations to treat brain metastases. By using a proprietary TRACER AAV capsid to deliver Voyager’s vectorized payload and by utilizing brain cells to produce therapeutic antibodies, we have demonstrated a durable effect against CNS tumours in several mouse models. We look forward to continued optimization of this innovative gene therapy approach as we progress toward clinical development.”
Investors cheered the positive preclinical trial results that could culminate in developing a novel treatment regimen for breast cancers.
Voyager’s vectorized anti-HER2 antibody could inhibit proliferation and promote antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC), a process that recruits natural killer cells, macrophages and brain-resident innate immune cells called microglia to eliminate tumor cells.
The mouse models which received the proprietary AAV vector via intravenous (IV) administration combined with a TRACER blood-brain barrier penetrant capsid demonstrated a positive survival rate.
However, the treatment still has a long way to go before it can reach commercial stages. Still, the company could license out the rest of the development process to another firm and start collecting milestone payments as the drug advances.
*This is not investment advice.
Voyager Therapeutics stock price.
Voyager Therapeutics stock price rallied 10.76% premarket to trade at $3.50, rising from Thursday’s closing price of $3.16.
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