Imugene investors have been reinvigorated of late with the news...

Imugene investors have been reinvigorated of late with the news of extended survival rates among Her Vaxx patients, and the potential out licensing of the product during Phase 2, that being the company’s commercial strategy. In addition to these developments verification of efficacy in their much heralded CF33 and Vaxinia trials would appear imminent, with Professor Fong reiterating as late as last week the company has amassed a large amount of promising data in their ongoing clinical trials. Both CF33 and Vaxinia have proven successful pre-clinically in curing all cancers, and now appear well on the way to succeeding in human trials, once their optimal biological dosage rates can be ascertained. But aside from working as stand alone drugs, the real blue sky for investors seems to exist in utilising these safe drugs in combination with a vast array of other leading cancer therapies and treatment arms.

Imugene and combination therapies, today and into the future

In my opinion Imugene’s three immunotherapy platforms shall take the stock from being worth cents to dollars in the medium term, however far greater value long term is to be derived from the platforms’ ability to combine with existing and new drugs in the treatment of cancer. Professor Kaumaya and Professor Fong have both highlighted the fact combination drugs are the way of the future. Combination products are therapeutic and/or diagnostic products that can combine drugs and medical devices. Until recently the increasing complexity surrounding combination therapies has raised regulatory framework challenges for the FDA. To reach the market, a combination product must be classified based on the principal mode of action (PMOA). Interested parties have been pushing hard for the FDA to recognise biosims and combination therapies since the early 2000’s. At one stage a “sit in” is even believed to have occurred in the FDA offices, where participants threatened not to leave until their case for combination therapies was heard.

We are already seeing Imugene’s B cell platform combine with monoclonal antibodies such as Keytruda, Avelumab and Tercentriq. On the oncolytic virus front Vaxinia is combining with Keytruda as well. The ability of Professor Fongs virus to turn solid tumours from cold to hot is said to make them easier to identify and target for incoming monoclonal antibodies such as Keytruda. Meanwhile Imugene’s Oncarlytics platform has combination potential to. For as outlined by Dr Jakob Dupont in Sydney last week, Imugene’s Oncarlytics platform effectively paints a target on solid tumours through the expression of a CD19 protein, and then enables that target to be attacked by incoming insurgents such as re-engineered CAR T cells. The mind boggles doesn’t it? Many of these combination therapies such as re - engineered Car T cells are worthless on their own in the battle against solid tumours in patients, but when combined with Imugene’s innovative and novel technology they become powerful weapons in the fight against cancer. What’s that worth? Let’s leave that for another day, and for the time being focus on what Imugene have achieved in the development of their 3 platforms thus far. As an example more and more patients and oncologists are queuing up to enter Imugene’s Vaxinia trial both here and in the US. Surely it’s simply a matter of time before word gets out.

Renowned American Surgeon and Researcher develops potential cure for cancer

From where I sit it is only going to take one article with a heading such as this in a notable magazine or journal such as Forbes or Time magazine, or the Wall Street Journal, to propel the IMU share price into the stratosphere. But perhaps in the longer term it’s not about share price recognition, it is purely about detecting, monitoring, supervising and most importantly administering these ground breaking safe and efficacious drugs to desperate cancer patients. Over time one’s attention shall turn to pre screening cancer patients. Whilst ensuring these drugs are dosed at appropriate levels to bolster one’s immune system against the potential reemergence of cancer is sure to be another challenge. But for now Imugene all about kicking the goal by killing cancer. Taking this into account Imugene appears to be doing a smashing job thus far in achieving this goal if the recent March Roadshows and ongoing clinical trial results are anything to go by.

DYOR - Seek investment advice as and when required - Opinions only