Moditope Vaccine Technology Platform

RNS Number : 0889K

Scancell Holdings Plc

15 August 2012

 

15 August 2012

Scancell Holdings Plc

('Scancell')

 ModitopeÔ  vaccine technology platform

 Stimulation of killer CD4 T cells with potent anti-tumour activity

Scancell Holdings Plc, (AIM:SCLP), the developer of therapeutic cancer vaccines, today announces the development of a new platform technology (ModitopeÔ) that stimulates the production of killer CD4 T cells with  powerful anti-tumour activity.  The Directors believe that this new discovery could have a profound effect on the way that cancer vaccines are developed.

CD4 responses to cancer associated antigens have been notoriously difficult to generate whether presented as peptides, proteins or DNA. CD4 cells are vital for effective anti-tumour immunity.  Scancell has identified and patented a series of modified epitopes that overcome this limitation. Scancell's ModitopeÔ technology produces killer CD4 T cells that destroy tumours without toxicity

Professor Lindy Durrant, Joint CEO of Scancell Holdings and Professor of Cancer Immunotherapy at Nottingham University, commented: "Not only do these unique epitopes stimulate a CD4 killer T cell response, we have also shown in tests that cancer patients can produce an immune response to these epitopes. The ModitopeÔ epitopes can be used to develop both DNA and peptide vaccines and could become an important component of many therapeutic vaccines in the future, both under development at Scancell and other companies"

Prof Peter Stern, Head of the Cancer Research UK, Immunology Group at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, commented: "This novel technology has the potential to transform the therapeutic cancer field. It is increasingly recognised that combining products and technologies will unlock the full potential of cancer vaccines. The ModitopeÔ technology offers those developing cancer vaccines, a means to optimise the potency of their immune targets".

David Evans, Chairman of Scancell Holdings, commented: "This highly innovative discovery opens up  a new  approach to the development of cancer vaccines. Whilst currently at an early stage, we are aware that the opportunities could be considerable in addition to Scancell's existing platform technology. As a result, the Board is actively evaluating its strategic options for this new technology platform and will be consulting with key shareholders in this regard.  We are excited by the potential and are resolute in our aim of creating the greatest value for shareholders. The Board will update the market in due course."

The Directors of the issuer accept responsibility for this announcement.

-ENDS-

For Further Information:

Dr Richard Goodfellow, Joint CEO Professor Lindy Durrant, Joint CEO	Scancell Holdings Plc Scancell Holdings Plc	+ 44 207 653 9850 + 44 207 653 9850
Graham Herring/Heather Armstrong	Newgate Threadneedle	+ 44 207 653 9850
Ross Andrews / Tom Rowley	Zeus Capital	+ 44 161 831 1512
Jon Belliss/Karen Kelly	Xcap Securities Plc	+ 44 207 101 7070

About Scancell

Scancell is developing novel therapeutic vaccines for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases based on its groundbreaking ImmunoBody® and Moditope™ technology platforms. Scancell's first cancer vaccine SCIB1 is being developed for the treatment of melanoma and is in Phase 2 clinical trials.

Treating cancer by vaccination allows small non-toxic doses of a vaccine to be administered to a patient, stimulating an immune response. Effective cancer vaccines need to target dendritic cells to stimulate both parts of the cellular immune system; the helper cell system where inflammation is stimulated at the tumour site; and the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte or CTL response where immune system cells are primed to recognise and kill specific cells.

A limitation of many cancer vaccines currently in development is that they cannot specifically target dendritic cells in vivo. Several groups have demonstrated successful vaccination by growing dendritic cells ex vivo, pulsing them with tumour antigens and re-infusing them. However, this procedure is patient specific, time consuming and expensive. Scancell has developed its breakthrough patent protected ImmunoBody® technology to overcome these limitations.

An ImmunoBody® is a human antibody or fusion protein engineered to express helper cell and CTL epitopes from tumour antigens over-expressed by cancer cells. Antibodies are ideal vectors for carrying T cell epitopes from tumour antigens as they have long half-lives and can effectively target dendritic cells via their Fc receptors, allowing efficient stimulation of both helper and CTL responses.

The Immunobody® technology can be adapted to provide the basis for treating any tumour type and may also be of potential utility in the development of vaccines against hepatitis, HIV and other chronic infectious diseases.

Scancell has also identified and patented a series of modified epitopes that stimulate the production of killer CD4 that destroy tumours without toxicity. The Directors believe that the Moditope™ platform could have a profound effect on the way that cancer vaccines are developed.

 

END

 

 

MSCEAAPSFFEAEFF