PhotonPharma Initiates Phase 1 Trial of Innocell for Advanced Ovarian Cancer
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PhotonPharma (search) has appointed Derek Brown as its new CEO to lead the company during the clinical trial phase of its ovarian cancer (search) drug candidate, Innocell.
Innocell, an autologous cell-based vaccine therapy, has received FDA clearance to proceed with a Phase 1 clinical trial for patients with stage III/IV ovarian cancer (search).
The Phase 1 study, funded by a $2.5 million seed financing round, is set to begin in the fourth quarter, with vaccine manufacturing at City of Hope Cancer Care center.
PhotonPharma (search) Inc., a company specializing in tumor-specific immune therapies, has commenced a Phase 1 clinical trial of its drug candidate, Innocell, for patients with stage III/IV ovarian cancer (search). The trial is set to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. Derek Brown has been appointed as the new CEO, succeeding Alan Rudolph, who will remain on the board of directors.
The FDA cleared Innocell, an autologous cell-based vaccine therapy, for the Phase 1 study in February. The trial is being funded by a $2.5 million seed financing round that closed in August.
"I’m honored to lead PhotonPharma (search) at such a pivotal time in the company’s journey,” said Derek Brown. “PhotonPharma’s differentiated and novel cancer immunotherapy programs show great promise to improve the outcomes for patients with solid tumors. I look forward to working closely with the talented team and with the City of Hope as we prepare to launch our first Phase 1 study."
The vaccine therapy used in the study will be manufactured at the City of Hope Cancer Care center in Los Angeles.