Poolbeg doses first patient in cancer immunotherapy safety trial

Poolbeg Pharma PLC has dosed the first patient in its Phase 1 clinical trial for its novel cancer immunotherapy, POLB 001.

The trial, which is being conducted in collaboration with the University of Manchester and Cancer Research UK, will assess the safety and tolerability of POLB 001 in healthy volunteers.

POLB 001 is a first-in-class immunotherapy that targets a specific protein found on the surface of cancer cells. The drug has shown promising results in preclinical studies, demonstrating the ability to activate the immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells.

The Phase 1 trial is expected to enroll approximately 60 healthy volunteers and will involve a single ascending dose regimen. The primary endpoints of the study are safety and tolerability, with secondary endpoints including pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic assessments.

Poolbeg Pharma CEO, Jeremy Skillington, expressed his excitement about the trial's commencement, stating, "This is a significant milestone for Poolbeg Pharma and for the development of POLB 001. We are thrilled to be progressing this innovative immunotherapy into human trials and are optimistic about its potential to transform cancer treatment."

The company anticipates reporting topline results from the Phase 1 trial in the first half of 2027.