Avacta Stock: Cancer Drug Shows Promising Results

The British biotechnology firm Avacta Therapeutics has reported significant progress with its lead drug candidate AVA6000, a modified form of the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin. In a recently completed Phase 1a dose-finding study, the drug demonstrated impressive efficacy and safety signals in patients with salivary gland cancer. Of eleven treated patients receiving doses of at least 250 mg/m², one showed a confirmed partial response, four exhibited minor reactions, and only one patient experienced disease progression – resulting in a remarkable 91% disease control rate. Notably, no serious cardiac toxicities, a common issue with conventional doxorubicin, have been observed so far. The median progression-free survival time could not yet be determined as five patients remain under treatment and nine patients continue to be monitored without progression. This significantly outperforms the benchmark of approximately 3.5 months seen with traditional therapies in comparable scenarios.

Strategic Realignment and Financing

Alongside clinical advances, Avacta is driving its transformation into a pure biotechnology company. The firm has reached an agreement to sell its diagnostics division, Launch Diagnostics Holdings Limited, to Duomed Belgium NV for £12.9 million in cash. This transaction, expected to close by late April 2025, extends Avacta's financing runway into Q1 2026. The proceeds will primarily fund research and development of the company's proprietary pre|CISION® platform. Beyond AVA6000, Avacta is preparing its second drug candidate AVA6103 for a Phase 1 study scheduled to begin in early 2026. The company is also exploring a potential secondary listing on NASDAQ, dependent on clinical data, SEC approval, and market conditions.

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Source StockWorld