Benitec Biopharma initiates Phase 2 Oncology Study in Australia

Benitec Biopharma which is a biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics based on a combination of gene therapy and its patented gene-silencing technology named ddRNAi asserted the commencement of Phase 2 Clinical Study in Australia with BB-401 as a treatment for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The Phase 2 open label study has been designed to explore the safety, tolerability and efficacy of BB-401 following intratumoral injections into lesions of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC.  The study will enrol up to 30 patients at 5-8 sites across Australia and Russia.

Chief Executive Officer Greg West said, “I am delighted that we have received approval to commence the study in Australia.  This represents an important milestone for us in the progression of BB-401 as a treatment option for patients with advanced head and neck cancer who have failed all other treatment modalities.  We are on track to start screening patients shortly.”