Transgene (Euronext Paris: TNG), a biotech company that designs and develops virus-based immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, and NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701), a leader in IT, network and AI technologies, have presented new positive data on TG4050 in a rapid oral presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.

These positive data confirm that individualized neoantigen therapeutic vaccine TG4050 is safe and feasible in the adjuvant setting of resectable HPV-negative locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). TG4050 induces, as monotherapy, long-lasting immune responses to vaccine neoantigens sustained for up to 2 years, and these results met all trial endpoints (NCT04183166) including safety, feasibility, immune activation and disease-free survival (defined as survival without recurrence or death for any cause).

TG4050 is based on Transgene’s myvac® platform and powered by NEC’s cutting-edge AI capabilities designed to optimize antigen selection.

Positive data from Phase I, confirming proof of principle of Transgene’s viral vector based individualized cancer vaccine TG4050 in HPV-negative locally advanced head and neck cancer 100% disease free survival at a minimum of 2-year follow-up of treated patients (median follow-up: 30 months) in the Phase I part of the trial: all patients in the TG4050 treatment arm remain disease free while 3 patients in the observational arm have relapsed.

Persistence of neoantigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses over 2 years after the start of TG4050 has been observed.

Dr. Alessandro Riva, CEO of Transgene, commented: "The sustained clinical and immunogenicity outcomes observed over two years of TG4050 monotherapy, along with the positive safety profile, mark an important milestone for Transgene. These results reinforce both the clinical promise of TG4050 and our commitment to accelerate the development of this individualized immunotherapy in adjuvant setting for patients with HPV-negative, locally advanced head and neck cancer."

Motoo Nishihara, Corporate EVP and CTO at NEC, commented: "This positive readout, combined with the durability of the efficacy data at two years, underscore the clinical potential of individualized cancer vaccine programs. It is a strong validation of our innovative AI platform and our dedication to advancing solutions that deliver meaningful, long-term value to patients and healthcare systems alike."

Ongoing Phase II part of Phase I/II clinical trial of individualized neoantigen therapeutic cancer vaccine TG4050

TG4050 is being evaluated in a randomized multicenter Phase I/II trial as a single agent in the adjuvant treatment of HPV-negative head and neck cancers (NCT04183166). Based on the promising data obtained in the Phase I part of the trial, Transgene and NEC extended the joint development of TG4050 in this indication with a Phase II extension of the trial.

The Phase II part of the trial, aimed at confirming the encouraging results in a larger patient population and evaluating both immunological and clinical outcomes, is currently underway. All patients are expected to be randomized by Q4 2025. Altogether, the Phase I/II study will comprise approximately 80 patients.