Strong progress for Faron’s cancer treatment bexmarilimab

Faron Pharmaceuticals has reported promising results from the latest stage of trials of its immunotherapy-based cancer treatment.

The biotech firm has updated on the BEXMAB multi-centre study spanning Finland, the UK and US; which is evaluating the safety and efficacy of its bexmarilimab innovation in patients with aggressive myeloid leukemias.

The treatment showed an 80 per cent objective response rate in patients with relapsed / refractory (r/r) myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a group of blood cancers in which the bone marrow produces abnormal blood cells.

Observed responses were primarily deep and durable with 14 out of 20 patients achieving complete response, marrow complete remission or partial response. Four patients have moved on to receive a bone marrow transplant. 

Speaking at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, Dr Juho Jalkanen, CEO of Faron, said the results would continue to improve over time.

“The combination is well-tolerated and generates strong and durable cancer blast reduction and haematological improvements.

“This solidifies bexmarilimab’s unique and leading mechanism of action for the treatment of MDS and in the field of myeloid cell re-programming.

“With this compelling evidence, we are well positioned to advance to the full phase 2 efficacy readout and actively pursue further regulatory interactions to navigate and refine the pivotal pathway for BLA filing.”

Dr Mika Kontro, associate professor at the Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center and principal investigator of the BEXMAB trial, said: “Addressing MDS remains a considerable therapeutic challenge due to the limited efficacy of the current standard of care, particularly in TP53 mutated and [Hypomethylating agents]-failed MDS patient populations.

“The data presented at ASH are highly promising, showing notable improvements in overall response rate and overall survival. These findings highlight the meaningful strides Faron is making in improving treatment outcomes for r/r MDS.”