A succinct summary of Imugene's B cell platform from an historical perspective @davybabyk I guess the takeaways for me are that B cell established proof of concept on both the Her Vaxx and PD1 Vaxx front some time ago with initial trials highlighting patient immune systems were in fact stimulated in the fight against cancer, be they of either a gastric or lung cancer nature. The more antibodies within their system the greater the efficacy, from where I sat at the time.
The most disappointing feature of Imugene's B cell story is that investors are left not knowing as to where the company and management are at with this platform. At the time of commencement in Imugenes IMPRINTER Trial for PD1 Vaxx investors were rightfully excited by the opportunity for PD1 Vaxx to treat naive patients, who were not as immune suppressed as those mentioned in your post. Further to which there was the added benefit of treating a larger pool of patients than had previously been administered with PD1 Vaxx. But ALAS, the clinic doors have gone quiet of late. From what many can ascertain the trial has ceased recruiting. What has become of the initial patients dosed in the PD1 Vaxx IMPRINTER Trial.
Perhaps unlike you I believe Professor Kauyama's PD1 Vaxx in its first Melbourne hit out did deliver the slam dunk required to go the next level in the fight against the leading cancer killer, non small cell lung cancer. I was looking forward to seeing it perform at its optimal biological dose rate in combination with Roche's Tercentriq. I would have even preferred a combination with Imugene's own Her Vaxx for that matter. Her Vaxx was hugely successful in Phase 2, irrespective of al the talk surrounding it, given it was shown to extend patients lives and prove extremely safe in the process. Comparable to Roche's then Her 2 blockbuster Herceptin, as the story goes.
Unfortunately Leslie Chong and her management team are their own worst enemies. Failure to come clean and provide specific details on the development of what was the back bone of their immunotherapy strategy is not only weak management, its verging on the negligent. I for one know several investors who invested heavily into IMU based upon the "proof of concept" established with their B cell platform comprising of Her Vaxx and PD1 Vaxx. Investors who held stock in the hope Professor Kauyama could utilise the patent(s) granted to Imugene for his drugs in Asia, a huge market for the cancer indication of lung cancer. Investors keen for Imugene to extend PD1 Vaxx's development in that indication, with naive patients whose immune systems may well have been in a position to fight off cancer at higher dose rates. Then to have posters such as you and I hypothesising as to what is happening with what was a vital cog in Imugene's wheel is pathetic. Why should those paying for and going in to bat for larger patient numbers in these trials, with these drugs, be left in the dark? Its akin to the smoke and mirrors masking most things Imugene when it comes to the strategic development of their portfolio. Lets not even discuss commercial development. If your CEO and MD cannot explain why your share price has halved in a matter of months I hardly think them capable of configuring a complex commercial outcome for what should have been a walk in the park for an experienced M&A consultancy team.
The fact a team of surgeons and medical practitioners in England have made the decision to pursue PD1 Vaxx is a testament to the drugs potential. But that ostensibly has nothing to do with where Imugene were at or indeed heading with Professor Kauyama's B cell vaccine. It's high time Imugene management opened up on what the hell happened with their Her Vaxx Keytruda combo, their PD1 Vaxx trial with Tercentriq, and their deliberations around the development and/or prospective sale or out licensing of these drugs. If they are not going to continue developing these vaccines in house, lets find someone who is prepared to. And as for those supposedly appointed at great expense to commercialise these assets, come clean on their tenure as well at the same time. The ongoing secrecy, lack of information and side swiping in the convenient guise of prioritisation is a nonsense. Put your big pants on, as you so aptly said you were going to all those years back, and face the music, before the music stops, for you.
DYOR Seek investment advice as and when required Opinions only
IMU Price at posting:
5.8¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
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