Faron unveils promising antibody study results

Faron Pharmaceuticals unveiled promising phase one data from its BEXMAB study in myeloid malignancies during the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting, it announced on Monday.

The AIM-traded firm said the study, conducted at multiple centres in Finland and the United States, focussed on assessing the safety and effectiveness of bexmarilimab - an innovative anti-Clever-1 humanised antibody - when combined with standard care in patients with aggressive myeloid leukaemias.

It said the presented data highlighted a noteworthy overall response rate (ORR), with positive outcomes observed in both high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS) and MDS patients who had failed on hypomethylating agents (HMA).

The company reported that all five patients in each group achieved a significant response.

Additionally, most responses proved deep and enduring, with seven out of ten MDS patients achieving either a complete response (CR) or a marrow complete response (mCR).

One patient from the study had transitioned to stem cell transplantation.

"The BEXMAB results continue to improve over time showing remarkable overall response rate in both higher-risk frontline as well as hypomethylating agent-failed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients," said chief executive officer Dr Markku Jalkanen.

"The combination is well-tolerated and generates strong and durable leukemic blast eradication and immune responses."

Dr Jalkanen said it solidified bexmarilimab's "unique and leading" mechanism of action in the field of myeloid cell reprogramming.

"With this compelling evidence we are well positioned to advance to the phase two part of the BEXMAB study and actively pursue further regulatory interactions to navigate and refine the pivotal pathway for BLA filing."

At 1241 GMT, shares in Faron Pharmaceuticals were up 6.67% at 352p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.