Syncona's Autolus leukemia treatment meets trial endpoint

Syncona portfolio company Autolus Therapeutics announced that a phase 2 clinical trial in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients has met its primary endpoint at interim analysis.

Its treatment demonstrated an overall remission rate, the primary endpoint for the trial, of 70% in an interim analysis of 50 patients, the company said on Friday.

Martin Murphy, chief executive of Syncona Investment Management, said: "Today's announcement from Autolus marks an important moment for the company as it progresses its lead programme of obe-cel in adult ALL.”

“The data is consistent with what was previously presented in the ALLCAR19 academic study, underlining the potential of obe-cel as a drug which can provide meaningful impact for patients suffering from ALL whilst also showing a very positive safety profile in a last line setting.”

“We are also encouraged by the expansion and persistence of obe-cel and look forward to future updates on whether this translates into potential best-in-class clinical durability.”

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com