Defence’s ARM-002 Shows Promise in Advanced Melanoma Treatment

Vancouver, BC, Canada, April 23, 2024 - Defence Therapeutics Inc., a leader in immune-oncology therapeutics, announced significant therapeutic effectiveness of its ARM-002 vaccine against melanoma in combination with anti-PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Using the AccuTOX® technology, this second-generation vaccine enhances antigen presentation in mesenchymal stromal cells, optimizing the immune response against melanoma cells.

The innovation behind AccuTOX® involves inducing protein aggregation, triggering the unfolded protein response for improved cancer cell targeting. Mr. Plouffe, CEO, highlighted the new approach’s efficiency, especially at lower doses, contributing to significant reductions in required protein compared to earlier versions. This increase in potency was confirmed in both male and female mice, showing promise for broader applications.

The company is expanding testing to include pancreatic, colon, and ovarian cancers, targeting these for its upcoming Phase I trials. These trials will determine if the potent immune response seen in preclinical studies translates into effective treatment options for hard-to-treat cancers.