The phase 1/2 clinical data for the cancer candidate drug is positive, causing the stock price of Intensity Therapeutics (INTS.US) to surge by 395%.

Biopharmaceutical company Intensity Therapeutics (INTS.US), with a market value of about $13 million, saw its stock price soar by nearly 395% after announcing the results of the phase 1/2 clinical trial of its candidate drug INT230-6 for metastatic or refractory cancer on Thursday. In terms of the mechanism of action and clinical data highlights of the candidate drug INT230-6, the drug achieves the diffusion and penetration of cytotoxic drugs cisplatin and vinblastine sulfate by directly injecting them into the tumor; it also contains a cell-penetrating enhancement molecule ("SHAO") that can bind to these two chemotherapeutic drugs. The company stated that the trial results showed an increase in the number of activated CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment. In terms of key clinical research data, a total of 64 patients participated in the study, covering more than 20 different types of cancer, all of whom had received extensive prior treatment (i.e. progressed or were intolerant to multi-line therapy). The disease control rate was 75%. The median overall survival (mOS) of the overall patient population was 11.9 months; in the subset of patients with metastatic sarcoma, the median overall survival reached 21.3 months. On safety data, no grade 4 or 5 treatment-related adverse events (the most severe grade) were reported, with only 7 patients reporting grade 3 adverse events; and no dose-limiting toxic reactions were observed in the trial. CEO and founder Lewis Bender stated, "Clearly, the market has responded positively to this data and results... This shows us that this research field (solid tumor therapy) - which we hope includes our research - has resonated with many people. These early data demonstrate the potential of a new approach to cancer treatment, and we hope it can benefit more patients." In terms of collaboration in research and development, Intensity Therapeutics has partnered with Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK.US) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY.US) to explore combination therapy regimens of INT230-6 with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab). The company will hold a conference call on October 31 at 9 am Eastern Time to discuss the results of this clinical trial. The results have been published in the academic journal "eBioMedicine."