DNAtrix Announces First Patients Treated in Phase 2 Trial with DNX-2401 and KEYTRUDA

DNAtrix, a clinical stage biotechnology company developing virus-driven immunotherapies for cancer, announced that the first patients have been treated in a multicenter Phase 2 trial investigating its oncolytic adenovirus, DNX-2401, in combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

The CAPTIVE trial is evaluating the potential effect of DNX-2401 and KEYTRUDA in patients with recurrent glioblastoma, a disease for which there is neither a cure nor adequate treatment. Leading medical centers in the United States and Canada are participating.

DNX-2401 is a potent conditionally replicative oncolytic adenovirus that targets and kills cancer cells, while leaving normal cells intact. Multiple clinical studies have shown that DNX-2401 has a favorable safety profile, strong tumor-killing potential and can trigger an antitumor immune response.

KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 (programmed death receptor-1) and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2.  This activity enhances the T cell response and leads to effective tumor destruction. KEYTRUDA is currently approved in the United States for advanced melanoma, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC).

“Glioblastoma is a difficult disease to treat with conventional therapies,” said Frank Tufaro, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of DNAtrix. “Based on remarkable preclinical data, we anticipate that the addition of KEYTRUDA to DNX-2401 therapy will provide even more benefit to patients with recurrent disease.”