Replimune Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: REPL) announced today that its Biologics License Application (BLA) for RP1 (vusolimogene oderparepvec) in combination with nivolumab for advanced melanoma is proceeding on schedule with the FDA, with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date set for July 22, 2025. The company has completed all necessary preparations for commercial launch, including building out its full commercial infrastructure.
"As we near our PDUFA date, our commercial organization is now fully hired and ready to execute our first launch in advanced melanoma," said Sushil Patel, Ph.D., CEO of Replimune. "We have a deep understanding of the market landscape, prescriber adoption and referral patterns, and a launch plan optimized for intra-tumoral delivery across all customer segments."
The FDA has completed both manufacturing inspections and the late-cycle review for the BLA, with no advisory committee planned. Replimune has established distribution channels ready to receive product pending approval, with key state licensing already in place.
Market Opportunity in Advanced Melanoma
Replimune estimates approximately 13,000 patients progress on or after PD-1 treatment annually in the United States, with approximately 80% of these patients eligible for treatment with RP1. Importantly, these treatments will be administered in the outpatient setting without requiring hospitalization.
RP1 is Replimune's lead product candidate based on a proprietary strain of herpes simplex virus engineered and genetically armed with a fusogenic protein (GALV-GP R-) and GM-CSF. This design aims to maximize tumor killing potency, enhance the immunogenicity of tumor cell death, and activate a systemic anti-tumor immune response.
Clinical Development Program
Enrollment is ongoing in the confirmatory Phase 3 trial, IGNYTE-3, which is assessing RP1 in combination with nivolumab in patients with advanced melanoma who have progressed on anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapies or are ineligible for anti-CTLA-4 treatment. The trial is expected to enroll 400 patients across over 100 global sites, with overall survival as the primary endpoint and progression-free survival and overall response rate as key secondary endpoints.
At the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025 Annual Meeting, Replimune will present several posters related to RP1, including a response analysis for injected and non-injected lesions, safety and efficacy data, and biosafety analysis from the skin cancer cohorts in the IGNYTE trial.
Pipeline Development
Beyond RP1, Replimune is advancing RP2, which is based on a similar herpes simplex virus platform but additionally expresses an anti-CTLA-4 antibody-like molecule. Two key clinical trials for RP2 are currently enrolling:
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The registration-directed REVEAL trial in metastatic uveal melanoma, which will enroll approximately 280 patients who are immune checkpoint inhibitor-naïve. This trial evaluates RP2 in combination with nivolumab versus ipilimumab in combination with nivolumab.
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A Phase 2 clinical trial of RP2 combined with atezolizumab and bevacizumab in anti-PD1/PD-L1 progressed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is expected to enroll 30 patients. This trial is being conducted under a collaboration and supply agreement with Roche.
Financial Position
As of March 31, 2025, Replimune reported $483.8 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, compared to $420.7 million as of March 31, 2024. The increase resulted from a public offering in November 2024, partially offset by operational expenses.
The company believes its current financial resources will fund operations into the fourth quarter of 2026, including the scale-up for potential commercialization of RP1 in skin cancers.
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, Replimune reported:
- Research and development expenses of $189.4 million, up from $175.0 million in the previous fiscal year
- Selling, general and administrative expenses of $72.2 million, compared to $59.8 million in the prior year
- Net loss of $247.3 million, versus $215.8 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024
The company plans to host an Investor Day on June 24, 2025, to further discuss its commercial plans for RP1 and pipeline development for both RP1 and RP2.
About Replimune's Technology Platform
Replimune's proprietary RPx platform is designed to have a unique dual local and systemic activity. The approach involves direct selective virus-mediated killing of tumors, resulting in the release of tumor-derived antigens and alteration of the tumor microenvironment to ignite a strong and durable systemic response.
The company believes its RPx product candidates will be synergistic with most established and experimental cancer treatment modalities, offering versatility for development alone or in combination with other treatment options.
