Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is designed to treat people with certain types of cancer using drugs activated by light, called a photosensitiser or photosensitising agent. Generally implemented as a local treatment, the therapy is designed for the treatment of a specific body part.
The National Cancer Institute, US, says that the FDA has already given a green signal to PDT to treat various cancers, including squamous cell skin cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Barrett esophagus, actinic keratosis, basal cell skin cancer, and esophageal (throat) cancer.
Invion developing next-gen PDT in its cancer fight
Australian life-sciences firm Invion Limited (ASX:IVX) is engaged in the research and development of the next generation of PDT, called Photosoft™for effectively treating cancer, infectious diseases and atherosclerosis.
Working mechanism of Photodynamic therapy
The photosensitising agent is administered into the bloodstream either through a vein or skin, depending on the body part being treated. The cancer cells absorb the drug over a certain period of time. This is followed by the application of light to the area requiring treatment. This step results in drug reaction, thereby developing a special kind of oxygen molecule that destroys the cells.
PDT might also work by killing the blood vessels that feed the cancer cells and informing the immune system to attack cancer.
Image source: IVX update
Pros and cons of Photodynamic therapy
© 2023 Krish Capital Pty. Ltd., Data source: American Cancer Society
How has Invion progressed with PhotosoftTM technology?
Invion’s lead drug candidate for cancer is INV043. It is active against multiple cancers and is highly potent and selective, highlights the company. Also, it has a strong therapeutic profile and theragnostic potential. The company has also been undertaking studies across infectious diseases.
Data source: company updates
The road ahead
Moving forward, Invion says that it has multiple catalysts and milestones for cancer, atherosclerosis, and infectious diseases.
The next steps would be to undertake clinical studies in number of cancer indications in Australia. The studies would focus on cancer types including anogenital cancer, skin cancer, and other solid tumour cancers.
The company also plans to focus on boosting capacity for late-stage studies and commercialisation with a global prospective.
Further, the company plans to expand globally by leveraging clinical trial data from Australia into later-stage programs in other major markets.
In the atherosclerosis and infectious diseases space, the company plans early-stage broad-based discovery, identification of target indications and proof-of-concept on target indications.
IVX shares traded at AU$0.007 on 20 February 2023.
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