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Investing.com -- Shares of Candel Therapeutics , Inc. (NASDAQ:CADL) climbed 8% following the announcement of favorable final survival data from their phase 2 trial of CAN-2409, a treatment for pancreatic cancer. The biotechnology firm reported extended survival rates in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) treated with CAN-2409 plus standard of care (SoC) compared to SoC alone.
The updated trial data, with nine additional months of follow-up, revealed a median overall survival of 31.4 months in the CAN-2409 group versus 12.5 months in the control group. Furthermore, the median survival post-progression was significantly longer for patients receiving CAN-2409, at 21.2 months compared to just 7.2 months in the control arm. This suggests a durable improvement in survival and highlights the potential of CAN-2409 as a multimodal immunotherapy candidate.
Candel’s Chief Medical (TASE:BLWV) Officer, W. Garrett Nichols, MD, MS, emphasized the challenge of treating pancreatic cancer and the promising results of CAN-2409 in improving outcomes for patients with PDAC, a notoriously aggressive disease. The trial’s findings show that CAN-2409 not only extends survival but also enhances the body’s immune response against tumors.
The company also noted that CAN-2409 has been generally well-tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicities. These positive outcomes have prompted Candel to prepare for a larger, late-stage randomized controlled trial of CAN-2409 in PDAC. The FDA has previously awarded Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designations to CAN-2409 for PDAC treatment, recognizing its potential to address an unmet medical need.
Candel’s CEO and President, Paul Peter Tak, MD, PhD, FMedSci, stated that the survival benefits observed with CAN-2409 could transform the treatment landscape for difficult-to-treat cancers. The company’s recent success in a clinical trial for localized prostate cancer further supports CAN-2409’s broad potential across various solid tumors.
Investors responded positively to the news, as evidenced by the stock’s upward movement, reflecting optimism about the drug’s future prospects and the company’s strategic direction in advancing cancer treatments.
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